Moderna
🇺🇸United States
- Country
- 🇺🇸United States
- Ownership
- Public, Subsidiary
- Established
- 2010-01-01
- Employees
- 5.6K
- Market Cap
- $30.3B
- Website
- http://www.modernatx.com
- Introduction
Moderna, Inc. engages in the development of transformative medicines based on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). Its product pipeline includes the following modalities: prophylactic vaccines, cancer vaccines, intratumoral immuno-oncology, localized regenerative therapeutics, systemic secreted therapeutics, and systemic intracellular therapeutics. The company was founded by Noubar B. Afeyan, Robert S. Langer, Jr., Derrick J. Rose and Kenneth R. Chien in 2010 and is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
Advances in mRNA-Based Cancer Vaccines
mRNA-based cancer vaccines, leveraging advancements in mRNA technology, show promise in cancer immunotherapy by targeting neoantigens. Recent progress includes neoantigen discovery, adjuvant identification, and delivery material advancements. Clinical trials highlight potential in personalized cancer vaccines, with ongoing research aiming to enhance efficacy and overcome challenges like tumor microenvironment suppression and delivery inefficiency.
Related Clinical Trials:
FDA approves updated Covid vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna
FDA approved updated Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines targeting XBB.1.5 for ages 12+, with emergency use for younger children. Availability pending CDC approval. Novavax's vaccine under review. Vaccines aim to protect against current strains as cases and hospitalizations rise.
An RSV vaccine has been approved by the FDA. It’s a huge deal.
FDA approved Arexvy, the first RSV vaccine for adults over 60, marking a significant advancement after over 50 years of research. RSV causes severe illness in the young and elderly, leading to thousands of deaths annually. The vaccine, effective and with mild side effects, could drastically reduce RSV's impact. More vaccines, including for children, are in development.
FDA withdraws authorization for original COVID-19 vaccines
The FDA has discontinued EUAs for original Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, now authorizing bivalent vaccines for all doses for individuals 6 months and older. This change aims to simplify immunization, especially for high-risk groups. Vaccine uptake has slowed, with plans to adjust formulations for future needs, reflecting ongoing efforts to adapt to COVID-19's evolving nature.
EMA Awards PRIME Scheme Designation to mRNA-4157/V940 and Pembrolizumab for High-Risk Melanoma Post-Resection
The EMA's PRIME designation for mRNA-4157/V940 and pembrolizumab targets high-risk melanoma post-resection, supported by a 44% risk reduction in recurrence or death from the KEYNOTE-942 trial. This personalized vaccine, encoding up to 34 neoantigens, combined with pembrolizumab, aims to enhance T-cell–mediated cancer cell elimination, marking a significant step in personalized melanoma treatment.
Tracking the COVID-19 vaccines: The global landscape
DNA-based vaccines like AG0302-COVID19, GX-19N, INO-4800, and ZyCov-D are in trials, showing promise with immunogenicity and safety. mRNA vaccines, including Pfizer-BioNTech’s BNT162b2 and Moderna’s mRNA-1273, demonstrate high efficacy against COVID-19, with studies highlighting their effectiveness against variants and the potential of a third dose for Omicron.
Related Clinical Trials:
The Business of Clinical Trials Is Booming. Private Equity Firms Invest Billions to Expedite Drug Approvals and Increase Profits
Private equity firms are investing billions in clinical drug trials, aiming to expedite drug approvals and increase profits. Companies like Headlands Research, backed by KKR, focus on enhancing trial efficiency and diversity. Despite challenges, including staffing and site closures, the clinical trials industry has grown, attracting significant private equity interest due to its profitability and lower risk compared to direct drug company investments.
Next-generation RNA technologies: making longer-lasting drugs with a focus on tRNA and circular RNA
Emerging biotech startups are advancing next-generation RNA technologies, aiming to create longer-lasting, more effective treatments for diseases. Companies like Alltrna, Laronde, and Orna Therapeutics are exploring tRNA and circular RNA, with significant funding and progress toward human trials. These innovations seek to overcome mRNA limitations, offering potential for durable medicines and reduced immune reactions.
New Sanofi and GSK vaccine demonstrates strong protection against severe Covid-19 in clinical trials
Sanofi and GSK's Vidprevtyn, a protein subunit Covid-19 vaccine, shows promising phase 3 trial results, with 58% efficacy against symptoms, 75% against moderate/severe disease, and 100% against severe disease. It's effective as a booster, increasing antibodies 18-30 fold. Plans to seek US and EU authorization, with 100 million doses already produced.
Merck KGaA and Quris Partner on BioAI Platform for Clinical Safety Prediction
Quris partners with Merck KGaA to evaluate its BioAI safety prediction platform, which uses miniaturized human tissues, nano-sensing, and machine learning for safer drug candidate predictions. The collaboration focuses on liver toxicity risks, with Merck KGaA having an option for a five-year exclusive license in a specific disease domain.
© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath