Biotechnology company Moderna Inc (Nasdaq:MRNA) revealed on Thursday that it has dosed the first participant under its Phase 1/2 study of its vaccine candidate against COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 or TAK-919) in Japan, led by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.

TAK-919 is reportedly Takeda's development code for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

This placebo-controlled Phase 1/2 study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of two vaccinations of mRNA-1273 given 28 days apart.

In conjunction, Takeda plans to enrol 200 participants aged 20 years and above in Japan. Each participant will be assigned to receive a placebo or a 100 μg dose at both vaccinations. Participants will be followed through 12 months after the second vaccination.

Under the terms of the prior agreement, Takeda will import and distribute 50m doses of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine candidate starting in the first half of 2021, pending licensure in Japan.