Moderna Inc. is actively pursuing partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies and financial institutions to secure funding for late-stage clinical trials of its latent virus vaccine programs, CEO Stéphane Bancel announced at the Goldman Sachs Annual Global Healthcare Conference.
The biotech company is specifically seeking external investment for vaccines targeting viruses that remain dormant in the body after infection, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). "We are very actively talking to potential partners right now," Bancel stated, emphasizing discussions with both pharmaceutical companies and financial partners.
Strategic Pause on Internal Funding
Moderna has temporarily halted internal spending on these latent virus programs, opting instead to secure external capital before advancing to Phase 3 trials. "We are working actively with [a] pharma company on the one hand and [a] financial partner on the other hand because we want those products to get to phase three," Bancel explained.
The company's approach leverages its existing manufacturing infrastructure, with Bancel noting that Moderna could launch both EBV and HSV vaccines "without adding $1 of CapEx." The existing facilities possess sufficient capacity to support production without requiring additional capital investment.
Precedent and Partnership Strategy
This financing strategy builds on Moderna's previous collaboration with Blackstone on flu vaccine development, establishing a precedent for external partnership structures. Despite maintaining over $8.5 billion in cash reserves, the company views this approach as a matter of capital efficiency rather than funding necessity.
"We would rather wait a few months to get the best partnership than being in a hurry and destroy value for shareholders by being in a hurry," Bancel emphasized, prioritizing optimal partnership terms over expedited deal completion. The CEO stressed the importance of identifying partners with the best capabilities and value proposition.
Market Response and Strategic Context
Moderna shares declined 2.2% following the announcement, reflecting investor uncertainty around vaccine uptake, trial timelines, and partnership outcomes. The financing initiative aligns with Moderna's broader strategic goal to return to profitability by 2028 while expanding its oncology and respiratory portfolios amid declining COVID-19 revenue.
The company's measured approach to partnership selection underscores its commitment to maximizing shareholder value while advancing its pipeline of latent virus vaccines through critical late-stage development phases.
