Stocks, markets, and funds for the month of July 2021, as featured on our site.
Moderna Expands Vaccine Portfolio Beyond COVID-19
In the bustling world of biotechnology, Moderna continues to make waves. As of July 26, the company's stock price was trading at around $336 on the tech exchange Nasdaq, a significant leap from its debut price of $23 in December 2018. This growth is a testament to Moderna's successful ventures, particularly in the realm of vaccines.
One of Moderna's current focuses is the development of a vaccine for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common cause of birth defects. The company's mRNA-1647 vaccine is currently in a pivotal Phase 3 trial, fully enrolled and assessing efficacy to prevent primary CMV infection in women of childbearing age. A Phase 3 final analysis is expected in 2025, with ongoing evaluation of additional secondary endpoints. The vaccine has shown 36-month durability data in Phase 2 extension studies.
In the field of oncology, Moderna is advancing personalized cancer vaccines like mRNA-4359 and V940/mRNA-4157 through early to mid-stage trials. These candidates focus on stimulating immune responses to cancer neoantigens, showing promise with upcoming detailed data expected at major oncology conferences in 2025. Analysts are optimistic about this pipeline, particularly the late-stage data for the Merck-partnered individualized cancer vaccine intismeran, viewed as a key future revenue driver.
Regarding AIDS, while publicly available data do not detail a specific Moderna AIDS vaccine candidate or timeline, the company does have ongoing research in infectious diseases beyond COVID-19, which may include HIV/AIDS. However, as of mid-2025, there are no publicly disclosed advanced-stage candidates for an AIDS vaccine.
Moderna's vaccine projects extend beyond these focuses. The company is developing a next-generation influenza vaccine (mRNA-1010) with demonstrated superior efficacy, an RSV vaccine (mRESVIA) with expanded FDA approval, and a norovirus vaccine (mRNA-1403) in Phase 3 trials.
The company's success in the vaccine market is evident in the numbers. Moderna shipped over a billion doses for the full year of 2021, with 102 million doses shipped in the first quarter alone. This surge in production led to Moderna's first-ever operating profit of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021, a stark contrast from the zero revenue reported in the same quarter the previous year. The company's revenue in the first quarter of 2021 stood at $1.9 billion.
Moreover, Moderna has secured a contract for 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in 2022 from Taiwan, with an additional 15 million doses in the following year.
It's clear that Moderna's future is not solely tied to COVID-19 vaccines. With key near-term milestones in CMV vaccine Phase 3 completion and oncology vaccine data readouts, alongside progress in influenza, RSV, and norovirus vaccines, Moderna is poised to continue its growth in the vaccine market.
Finance plays a crucial role in Moderna's expansion, as the company's significant profit from shipping over a billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021 is evident. With investments in various vaccine candidates, such as the mRNA-1647 vaccine for cytomegalovirus and oncology vaccines like mRNA-4359 and V940/mRNA-4157, Moderna is looking to diversify its finance portfolio beyond COVID-19.
