Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) is prepping for the global launch of its potential coronavirus vaccine, already taking in $1.1 billion in deposits from governments awaiting the potentially lifesaving drug.
The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based biotech company also said in its third-quarter earnings report it was in ongoing talks with the World Health Organization-backed COVAX initiative on a tiered pricing proposal for its potential vaccine, which it’s tentatively calling mRNA-1273. It already has supply agreements in North America, the Middle East and in other regions of the world.
"We are actively preparing for the launch of mRNA-1273 and we have signed a number of supply agreements with governments around the world," Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said. "Moderna is committed to the highest data quality standards and rigorous scientific research as we continue to work with regulators to advance mRNA-1273."
Moderna, a frontrunner in the Covid-19 vaccine race, said last week it had completed enrollment for its 30,000-participant late-stage trial. As of last week, more than 25,650 participants had received the second of the company’s two-dose Covid-19 vaccine. The company said about 37% of the participants were from diverse communities and 42% were at high risk of severe disease.
Separately, the company reported a third-quarter loss of $233.6 million, or 59 cents a share, greater than the loss of 43 cents per share analysts were expecting. The company brought in $157.9 million in revenue, higher than the $77.5 million Wall Street was expecting.
MRNA shares gained 97 cents, or 1.5%, to $66.71.
