What Happened
Shares of Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ: MRNA) surged on Tuesday, gaining 5.75% to $36.02 with a session volume of 8.0 million, according to Benzinga Pro. The rally follows the company’s announcement of continued support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines.
Why It’s Important
The funding, provided through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will support Moderna’s late-stage development and licensure of pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccines. Additionally, the agreement includes expanded clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza.
Key Numbers
- Federal Funding: $590 million awarded by HHS, BARDA, and ASPR.
- Stock Movement: MRNA shares increased by 5.75%, reaching $36.02.
- Phase 1/2 Trials: Conducted in 2023 for mRNA-1018, testing H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses.
- Upcoming Milestone: Moderna plans to advance mRNA-1018 into Phase 3 trials.
Clinical and Pipeline Updates
Moderna launched a Phase 1/2 study in 2023 to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of its investigational pandemic influenza vaccine (mRNA-1018) in healthy adults. Preliminary results from this study indicate promising data, prompting the company to prepare for Phase 3 trials. The company plans to present Phase 1/2 results at an upcoming scientific conference.
Strategic Outlook
Earlier this month, Moderna provided business updates emphasizing its commitment to a prioritized portfolio focusing on respiratory viruses, rare diseases, oncology, and latent and other viruses. The company enters 2025 with a clear focus on advancing its mRNA technology beyond COVID-19 vaccines and into broader applications.
What’s Next
Investors will closely monitor Moderna’s upcoming Phase 1/2 data presentation and its transition to Phase 3 trials for mRNA-1018. The $590 million federal support signals confidence in Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccine platform, potentially positioning the company as a leader in pandemic preparedness.
