June 13 (Reuters) - Moderna ( MRNA ) said on Thursday

its next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate met its main goal

in a late-stage study by showing vaccine efficacy that was

non-inferior compared with the company's commercial shot.

The company has been working on multiple new messenger RNA

vaccines, including the recently approved RSV vaccine, mRESVIA,

and other experimental shots, to tackle the waning sales of its

current COVID vaccine that is sold under the brand Spikevax.

The next-generation COVID shot was being tested in over

11,000 people aged 12 years and older. In adults, it showed

superiority in vaccine efficacy to Spikevax, the company said.

The company added that it will engage with regulators on

the next steps for the next-generation COVID vaccine.

The new COVID vaccine is also being tested as a combination

shot with Moderna's ( MRNA ) flu shot. On Monday, the company said the

combination vaccine generated a stronger immune response in

adults aged 50 and over when compared to separate shots against

the COVID and flu viruses in a late-stage trial.