New mRNA flu vaccine shows promise in first human trial
NCT ID NCT06125691
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial tested a new type of flu vaccine called ARCT-2138, which uses self-amplifying mRNA technology to potentially provide stronger and longer-lasting protection. The study involved 139 healthy adults aged 18-49 and 65-85, who received either the experimental vaccine or a licensed flu shot. Researchers monitored safety, side effects, and immune responses to determine the best dose for future studies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Self-amplifying mRNA seasonal influenza vaccine (ARCT-2138)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a more effective and longer-lasting seasonal flu vaccine using self-amplifying mRNA technology.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 139 participants, so safety and immune response are still being tested. It may not work as well as existing vaccines or could have unexpected side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
139 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2024
- Finished
-
Jan 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 85 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals are male, female, or transgender adults 18 to 49 years of age or 65 to 85 years of age. 2. Healthy participants or participants with pre-existing stable medical conditions. Pre-existing stable medical condition means a subject who: has full capacity of daily activity and no major medication modification; has not undergone surgical or minimally invasive intervention or had any hospitalization/emergency room visit for the specific medical condition within 3 months prior to Day 1. 3. Participant or legally authorized representatives must freely provide documented informed consent prior to study procedures being performed. 4. Individuals who have not received influenza vaccine within 6 months prior to enrollment. 5. Individuals must agree to comply with all study visits and procedures (including blood tests, nasopharyngeal swabs, diary completion, receipt of telephone calls from the site, willingness to be available for Unscheduled Clinic Visits). 6. Individuals of childbearing potential must be willing to adhere to contraceptive requirements. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Individuals with acute medical illness or febrile illness, including body temperature \>100.4°F (\>38.0°C) within 3 days prior to Randomization. These individuals may be offered the opportunity to enter the study after fever and illness has stabilized. Participants with suspected or confirmed influenza should be excluded and referred for medical care. Rescreening will be permitted for individuals who are presented with suspected influenza if another diagnosis is confirmed. 2. Individuals with any medical, neurological, or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could place the participant at an unacceptable risk of injury or render the participant unable to comply with all study procedures and achieve successful completion of the trial. 3. Individuals with a known history of severe hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, or other significant adverse reactions to any mRNA vaccine, influenza vaccine, or excipients. 4. Individuals who have a positive pregnancy test at the Screening visit or Day 1 or who intend to become pregnant or breastfeed during the study. 5. Individuals with a history of myocarditis, pericarditis, myopericarditis or cardiomyopathy. 6. Individuals with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalomyelitis, or transverse myelitis. 7. Individuals with a known bleeding disorder that would, in the opinion of the investigator, contraindicate intramuscular (I.M.) injection. 8. Individuals with a history of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency. 9. Individuals who have received immunomodulatory, immunostimulatory, or immunosuppressant drugs including interferon and cytotoxic drugs within 3 months of Screening/Day 1 or who plan to receive them during the study. 10. Individuals requiring systemic corticosteroids exceeding 10 mg/day of prednisone equivalent for ≥10 days within 30 days of Screening. The use of topical, ophthalmic, inhaled, and intranasal steroid preparations will be permitted. 11. Individuals who have received immunoglobulins and/or any blood or blood products within the 3 months before the first vaccine administration or plan to receive such products at any time during the study. 12. Individuals with an immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state, asplenia, or recurrent severe infections. 13. Individuals with a documented history of chronic infection including HIV, HBV, HCV, or who are currently known to have active tuberculosis. 14. Individuals with chronic illness that, in the opinion of the Investigator, are at a stage where it might interfere with trial participation or interpretation of study results. 15. Individuals receiving treatment with another investigational drug, biological agent, or device within 28 days of screening, or 5 half-lives of the investigational drug, whichever is longer; or are currently enrolled in or plan to participate in another clinical trial with an investigational agent during the study period. 16. Individuals who received any influenza vaccine within 6 months prior to enrollment. Individuals who plan to receive an influenza vaccine during the study period\*. 17. Individuals who have received any other licensed vaccines within 14 days prior to enrollment in this study or who are planning to receive any vaccine up to 14 days after the study vaccination. 18. Individuals who are investigator site staff members, employees of the Sponsor or the Clinical Research Organization directly involved in the conduct of the study, or site staff members otherwise supervised by the investigator or immediate family members of any of the previously mentioned individuals. * Participants in the older adult group (Part 3) are allowed, following their Day 29 visit, to receive the authorized influenza vaccine as per country-specific recommendations.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Influenza, human are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Emeritus Research Camberwell
Melbourne, Victoria, 3124, Australia
-
Nucleus Network Brisbane Clinic
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can mRNA technology outsmart the flu in older adults?
- One shot, two protections? a new vaccine aims to tackle flu and COVID together
- Can a lab-made flu vaccine outperform the traditional egg-based shot?
- Bedside flu shot for heart patients: a simple strategy to save lives?
- New hope for tiniest flu patients: IV zanamivir tested in infants under 6 months
- New adjuvanted flu vaccine aims to boost protection in older adults