SINGAPORE :- A two-in-one jab for Covid-19 and flu could be available in late 2023, with American pharmaceutical Moderna saying it is currently conducting phase one trials.

Speaking during a virtual media roundtable event on Wednesday (Sept 21) night, Moderna's chief medical officer Paul Burton said the quick turnaround is possible because of the flexibility of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) platform.

He said the mRNA platform allows the company to pivot to other diseases and produce new vaccines quickly, adding: "You can expect it (the jab for flu and Covid-19) in late 2023."

Dr Burton also provided an update on Moderna's plans to set up a new subsidiary in Singapore, revealing that job offers for the team have been sent out and more will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

Moderna had announced in February 2022 plans to set up a subsidiary here, which it said will add to the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer's presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

It said then that it will be recruiting a team in Singapore to cover a range of functions in areas such as medical, regulatory, pricing, reimbursement, market access, government affairs and commercial operations.

On Wednesday, Dr Burton said that with the rapidly mutating nature of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, there are two ways in which the world can keep this virus at bay.

 - ANN