Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) saw its stock surge 5.01% during intraday trading on Thursday, driven by positive investor sentiment following the announcement of significant funding for its bird flu vaccine development.
The U.S. drugmaker secured up to $54.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to support late-stage development of its experimental mRNA-based bird flu vaccine, mRNA-1018. The Phase 3 trial is expected to begin in early 2026 in the UK and the U.S., building on earlier studies showing strong immune responses. Moderna also committed to reserving 20% of its production capacity for low- and middle-income countries at affordable prices in case of a pandemic.
The funding highlights the potential of mRNA technology to accelerate vaccine development, as it can be designed and produced much faster than traditional methods. This development aligns with Moderna's broader strategy to respond to pandemic threats within 100 days of identification.
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