For a while, the “fade” in Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) pulled Covid-19 drug developers lower. Novavax (NASDAQ:NVAX) and Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) both fell sharply from all-time highs. Moderna is getting fundamentally stronger. It reported a positive mouse study and is moving forward with its Phase 3 study of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Moderna reported that mice getting a dose of its vaccine were protected from the virus. It faced no elevated risk of more severe disease. The study is a positive development. With the safety profile validated in the animal model, Moderna may proceed with testing the vaccine in thousands of healthy subjects.
The study needs peer-review. For example, the study may not have included enough subjects. So, the data may not give a reliable indication of the vaccine’s safety.
Moderna will commence its Phase 3 study on 30,000 subjects starting in July for mRNA-1273. This is a randomized, 1:1 placebo-controlled trial. Its primary endpoint is the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 disease. Its secondary endpoint includes disease prevention and prevention of severe COVID-19 disease.
Your Takeaway
Moderna stock may trend higher as investors bet that the company reports positive results from the study that begins in July.
