Interim data from Moderna's Phase 2 clinical trials indicate that a third dose, tweaked to match the so-called B.1.351 variant, increased levels of antibodies against the virus. The booster was given six to eight months after the participants had been initially vaccinated. In a statement, Moderna's chief executive officer, Stéphane Bancel, said the results are encouraging and credited the vaccine's mRNA technology with offering speed and precision in keeping up with changing viruses. "Our mRNA platform allows for rapid design of vaccine candidates that incorporate key virus mutations, potentially allowing for faster development of future alternative variant-matched vaccines should they be needed," Bancel said.