Boston Herald – Cambridge biotech company Moderna is testing a “next generation” coronavirus vaccine with the potential to remain stable at standard refrigerator temperatures instead of requiring ultra-cold storage.

The first participants have already been dosed with the new vaccine candidate, called mRNA-1283, the company announced on Monday.

“We are pleased to begin this Phase 1 study of our next generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1283,” said Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.

The vaccine candidate is being developed as a potential refrigerator-stable shot, which Bancel said, “could facilitate easier distribution and administration in a wider range of settings, including potentially for developing countries.”

The study will assess the safety of the vaccine at three dose levels and will be given to healthy adults either as a single dose, or in two doses 28 days apart, according to Moderna.

The candidate will also be evaluated in future studies as a booster dose for previously vaccinated people.