Safety and Efficacy Study of the Acne mRNA vaccine (mrt1800, mrt1801, mrt1802) in Adults 18‑45 Years with Moderate to Severe Acne

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What is this study about?

Acne is a common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, and sometimes deeper nodules. The study tests a new type of vaccine called Acne mRNA vaccine that contains three experimental components named MRT1800, MRT1801, and MRT1802. The vaccine is given as an intramuscular injection, which means it is placed into a muscle using a needle, and the product is a suspension for injection, a liquid that contains tiny particles that dissolve in the body. Some participants will receive a simple salt water solution called placebo instead of the vaccine, so that researchers can compare the results.

The purpose of the study is to see if the vaccine is safe, works to reduce acne, and triggers the body’s immune system to recognize the skin problem. Adults aged 18 to 45 with moderate to severe acne will receive a few doses over several weeks and will return for regular visits where doctors check the skin, ask about any side effects such as soreness at the injection site or feeling unwell, and take simple blood tests. The study will continue for several months to monitor any longer‑term effects.

1 baseline assessment

on the day you join the study, you will have a baseline visit. during this visit, study staff will count the number of inflammatory and non‑inflammatory acne lesions on your face, take a blood sample, and record basic health information. these measurements create a reference point for later comparisons.

2 first injection

after the baseline assessments, you will receive an injection. the injection may contain the acne mRNA vaccine (a suspension for intramuscular injection) or a placebo consisting of 0.9 % sodium chloride solution. the exact dose and volume are determined by the study protocol but are not disclosed here. the injection is given into a muscle, usually in the upper arm.

3 immediate safety observation

following the injection, you will remain in the clinic for a short observation period, typically about 30 minutes, so that staff can monitor for any immediate reactions at the injection site or systemic symptoms such as fever or feeling unwell.

4 scheduled follow‑up visits

you will return to the clinic at several time points defined by the study. at each visit, you will again have your acne lesions counted, provide another blood sample to measure antibody levels, and answer questions about any side effects you may have experienced since the previous visit.

the study staff will also perform routine laboratory tests to check for any out‑of‑range results and will record any adverse events, whether they are considered related to the injection or not.

5 core study sentinel cohort assessment

for participants in the sentinel cohorts, the primary focus is safety. the study will specifically look for unsolicited systemic adverse events, injection‑site reactions, medically‑attended adverse events, serious adverse events, and any events of special interest.

6 core study main cohort assessment

for participants in the main cohorts, efficacy is evaluated. the change in the number of inflammatory, non‑inflammatory, and total acne lesions on your face is compared with the baseline count taken on day 1.

the study also measures the amount of vaccine‑specific antibodies in your blood to see how your immune system responded.

7 long‑term extension

after the core study period, you may enter a long‑term extension phase. during this phase, you will continue to be monitored for safety, with periodic visits to report any serious adverse events or events of special interest that occur later.

the same lesion counts and blood tests may be repeated at longer intervals to assess the durability of any benefit and to ensure ongoing safety.

Who Can Join the Study?

  • Be in overall good health, as determined by the doctor through review of medical history, a physical exam, and lab tests (overtly healthy).
  • Have a doctor‑confirmed diagnosis of moderate or severe facial acne (acne vulgaris).
  • Score a 3 or 4 on the 5‑point Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) scale, which means the acne is judged moderate (3) or severe (4).
  • Have at least 25 non‑inflammatory lesions, which are the small bumps called open or closed comedones (blackheads or whiteheads).
  • Have at least 20 inflammatory lesions, which are red, tender spots such as papules and pustules.
  • Have no more than 2 nodulocystic lesions, which are larger, deeper lumps called nodules or cysts.
  • Be either male or female.
  • Be eligible to enroll as a vulnerable participant (for example, a minor) if allowed by the study rules.
  • Fall within the study’s defined age range (identified by code “3” in the protocol).

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Having a known or suspected immune system problem you were born with (congenital) or that developed later (acquired), or having taken medicines that suppress the immune system (such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or strong steroids) within the last 6 months, or taking steroids for more than 2 weeks in the past 3 months. Immunosuppressive therapy means treatment that weakens the body’s ability to fight infections.
  • Being allergic (systemic hypersensitivity) to any part of the vaccine, having had a life‑threatening allergic reaction to the vaccine or a similar product, or having experienced a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after a COVID‑19 mRNA vaccine. Anaphylaxis is a rapid, serious allergic reaction that can affect breathing and blood pressure.
  • Having active severe forms of acne such as nodulocystic acne, acne conglobate, acne fulminans, or acne caused by chemicals, medicines, or friction (examples: chloracne, drug‑induced acne, acne mechanica). These are uncommon, very inflamed types of acne.
  • Using any acne treatment without stopping it for the required “washout period” (a short break) before joining the study. A washout period allows previous medicines to leave the body.
  • Receiving any other vaccine (aside from the study vaccine) within 4 weeks before or after the study vaccine dose.
  • Having previously received an experimental vaccine against C. acnes (the bacteria that can cause acne).
  • Receiving immune globulins, blood, or blood‑derived products in the past 3 months. These are treatments made from donated blood that can affect the immune system.
  • Having a known positive test (seropositivity) for HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus. These are infections that affect the immune system or liver.

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Alergo Med Osrodek Badan Klinicznych Sp. z o.o. Tarnow Poland
Bellvitge University Hospital L'hospitalet De Llobregat Spain

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon Madrid Spain
Cwymxecopj Pyeoyduseqy Lcaxtxpgrryigkuqzeayspw Mmdiurvm seohi Wroclaw Poland
Cqicjlf Zvtpgnb Dpiqxvh I Rouilkl Ipc Jvic Pqrgr Ik W Skqioewl Sum z ozsl Sosnowiec Poland
Cquosnj Bykup Khxdojzyhbk Pmobfofr Spb z otmw Gdansk Poland
Cdzlrwspc Dshpbxm Ndpbl Sil kh Bialystok Poland
Cisvynrs Rlqpkzeb Ggvvq Sof z opsv Warsaw Poland
Khbvytv Ayuaapwsk Sjf z osds Warsaw Poland
Eqp Iwifwgzc Mughcvek Slxo Poznan Poland
Uwixfvbvrrvkzmzyndfcb Rzanssgsnp Afm Regensburg Germany
Hzhffsio Chsdkl Dn Bktosrqkp Barcelona Spain
Ckivqsv Uxdlykdxhadwkfrhilef Bommwy Kis Berlin Germany
Ukncltsmisze Do Srkkiddd Dy Ccepjwxymy Santiago De Compostela Spain
Hfzmzzxj Cuxnjio Sow Cgntdq Madrid Spain
Epinvtds bzdyyta Gqti Hamburg Germany
Gbiwjh Uulaskkygu Fselznlxc Frankfurt Germany
Kzgseuyq dar Tpcgdetmaoe Umeavreeoyag Melbwjsy (tyu Keskkvhwh Munich Germany
Uafptfpwffyqspmhegaav Szvkkwwkftopndsuil Anh Kiel Germany
Hilgtkzx Ulliwgflcvxrr 1g Dl Otnszum Madrid Spain
Fnewuxbby Prpq Lj Ifkbvwniydxud Biywigtvd Dlj Hfsnzpxs Uekxpylfepriy Le Pqy Madrid Spain
Tewwutxzhsa ukx Szykscsdpay Brsixkuo Gzbk Bad Bentheim Germany
Ffhdqzgpgzthdk Gjygzvqowubuyyjufgm fimi Demxcbhhwejr Upq Vfuvxobkwmu Asfsatyagneu Uvikgwswgqkoa Lwrklocoltdf Gox Blankenfelde-Mahlow Germany

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Germany Germany
Not yet recruiting
24.08.2026
Poland Poland
Not yet recruiting
24.08.2026
Spain Spain
Not yet recruiting
24.08.2026

Trial locations

Acne mRNA vaccine is an experimental vaccine being tested to treat moderate to severe acne. It contains three messenger RNA components (MRT1800, MRT1801, MRT1802) that tell the body’s cells to make proteins that aim to reduce the bacteria and inflammation that cause acne. The vaccine is given as a liquid suspension injected into the muscle. In the study, participants receive this vaccine to see if it is safe, if it improves acne, and whether it remains safe over a longer period.

Acne – Acne is a common skin condition that produces red, inflamed spots, blackheads, and whiteheads, usually on the face, chest, and back. It begins when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Over time, the clogged pores can become infected, leading to swelling and the formation of pustules or nodules. The lesions may appear in groups and can vary in size and severity. As the condition continues, lesions may increase in number and become more persistent if the underlying blockage and inflammation are not reduced.

Trial ID:
2025-521740-38-00
Protocol code:
VBE00001
NCT ID:
NCT06316297
Trial Phase:
Phase I and Phase II (Integrated) – First administration to humans

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