What are the Ingredients in the Moderna Vaccine?
Posted on 05/20/2021
Moderna Vaccine
Number of shots: 2 shots, 28 days apart
Ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (SM-102, polyethylene glycol [PEG] 2000 dimyristoyl glycerol [DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC]), tromethamine, tromethamine hydrochloride, acetic acid, sodium acetate, and sucrose.
mRNA: Like the Pfzer BioNTech vaccine, Moderna’s also uses mRNA technology to build antibodies against COVID-19.
Lipids: Nanolipids help deliver the mRNA to the vaccine recipient’s cells. Nanolipid components of the Moderna vaccine include: (SM-102, 1,2-dimyristoyl-rac-glycero3-methoxypolyethylene glycol-2000 [PEG2000-DMG], cholesterol, and 1,2-distearoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine [DSPC])
The remaining ingredients, including acids (acetic acid), acid stabilizers (tromethamine and tromethamine hydrochloride), salt (sodium acetate), and sugar (sucrose) all work together to maintain the stability of the vaccine after it’s produced.
Learn more, read the FDA full Moderna Fact Sheet: http://www.fda.gov/media/144638/download
What is SM-102?
CAS Number: 2089251-47-6
Formal Name: 8-[(2-hydroxyethyl)[6-oxo-6-(undecyloxy)hexyl]amino]-octanoic acid, 1-octylnonyl ester.
SM-102 is a lipid molecule that does not dissolve in water. The molecule helps form the lipid nanoparticles in the Moderna vaccine. The Moderna vaccine does not contain chloroform when in use but it does use SM-102.
From the European Medicines Agency assessment report on March 11, 2021, “COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna contains lipid nanoparticles that include two novel lipid components (SM-102, PEG2000-DMG). The distribution, metabolism and PK of SM-102 has not been extensively studied but submitted data on a close structural analogue show efficient hydrolysis and clearance. Currently the involvement of PEG as an antigen triggering allergic reactions is increasingly being recognised. Anaphylaxis has been recognised as an established risk, but the responsible antigen is currently unknown and non-IgE mediated allergic reactions remain a possibility. The low molecular weight of the PEG, the small amount contained in the vaccine and the administration of only few doses do not raise concerns regarding possible accumulation.”
The report adds, “No carcinogenicity studies were submitted. This is scientifically acceptable and in line with relevant guidelines on non-clinical development of vaccine candidates. The components of the vaccine formulation are lipids and natural nucleosides that are not expected to have carcinogenic potential.”
Source: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/assessment-report/covid-19-vaccine-moderna-epar-public-assessment-report_en.pdf
Description:
SM-102 is an ionizable amino lipid that has been used in combination with other lipids in the formation of lipid nanoparticles.1 Administration of luciferase mRNA in SM-102-containing lipid nanoparticles induces hepatic luciferase expression in mice. Formulations containing SM-102 have been used in the development of lipid nanoparticles for delivery of mRNA-based vaccines.
Product Description References
1. Sabnis, S., Kumarasinghe , E.S., Salerno, T., et al. A novel amino lipid series for mRNA delivery: Improved endosomal escape and sustained pharmacology and safety in non-human primates. Mol. Ther. 26(6), 1509-1519 (2018).
Ann Arbor-based Cayman Chemical Company, Inc. develops and manufactures chemical compounds for research use only (RUO) and has a separate business division that produces small molecules as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients for human and veterinary use. Product safety sheet link: https://www.caymanchem.com/msdss/33474m.pdf
Pfzer-BioNTech Vaccine
Ingredients: messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), lipids (((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose.
Does NOT contain: Eggs, Preservatives, Latex
ALC-0315 ([(4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl]di(hexane-6,1-diyl) bis(2-hexyldecanoate)) is a component of the lipid mixture used in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BNT162b2, from BioNTech and Pfizer to form lipid nanoparticles.
Learn more, read the FDA full Pfzer-BioNTech Fact Sheet: http://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
