Main topic: Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine shows efficacy against omicron subvariants.
Key points:
1. Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine boosts neutralizing antibodies against omicron subvariants EG.5 and FL.1.5.1.
2. The booster shot is expected to be authorized and rolled out soon.
3. The preliminary trial data aims to reassure concerns about the vaccine's effectiveness against current variants.
Moderna's stock surged after the biotech company partnered with Carsgen to study a new cancer vaccine regimen using mRNA technology, giving Moderna a second opportunity in the field of cancer vaccines.
Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be effective against the highly-mutated BA.2.86 subvariant of the coronavirus, according to clinical trial data, providing reassurance for fall boosters and regulators.
Two new Covid shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved by the FDA and are expected to be available soon as cases continue to rise in some parts of the US, with preliminary research suggesting they offer protection against the dominant variant and other concerning variants.
Moderna's experimental mRNA-based seasonal flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, demonstrated a stronger immune response against four strains of the flu virus compared to a currently marketed vaccine, paving the way for potential approval from regulators.
Moderna's flu vaccine has demonstrated a stronger immune response against all strains of the influenza virus compared to traditional flu shots, potentially allowing the company to file for accelerated approval in the US by year-end and launch the vaccine for the 2024/2025 season, while also scaling down its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing to meet lower post-pandemic demand.
Moderna's market cap took a hit after Pfizer's announcement that only 24% of eligible Americans will receive a COVID-19 booster shot, but analysts still project a positive outlook for the next five years with the company's expansion into other areas such as oncology and rare diseases. The target price for Moderna stock is $166.25 per share, indicating a potential upside of 59.67%.
Moderna's combination vaccine targeting Covid and the flu, mRNA-1083, has shown positive results in an early to mid-stage study and will move to a final stage trial in adults aged 50 and above with hopes of gaining regulatory approval in 2025, potentially simplifying protection against respiratory viruses that surge during certain seasons.
Moderna has announced positive results from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of its combination vaccine, mRNA-1083, against both influenza and Covid-19, revealing strong immune responses and safety, with a Phase 3 trial planned for this year for adults aged 50 and older.
Moderna is developing new refrigerator-stable vaccines that are easier to administer and do not require the same freezing conditions as previous COVID-19 vaccines, making them more accessible for use globally.
Moderna plans to advance a novel vaccine design targeting both flu and COVID-19 into its final stage of development, aiming to simplify annual vaccinations and increase vaccine uptake, with hopes of regulatory approval by 2025.
Moderna, Pfizer, and Novavax are racing to develop a combined flu and coronavirus vaccine, with Moderna reportedly jumping ahead with promising results from its phase 1/2 study.
