We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
{\"0\":\"MRNA shares rose 4% on strong phase IV results for its updated Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine.\",\"1\":\"The 2025-2026 Spikevax formula boosted antibodies over 8-fold against the LP.8.1 variant.\",\"2\":\"Safety profile matched prior studies, with no new concerns for the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax.\"}
Shares of Moderna (MRNA - Free Report) were up 4% yesterday after the company announced positive preliminary immunogenicity data from an ongoing phase IV study, which evaluated the updated version of its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, targeting the LP.8.1 variant of the COVID-19 virus.
The phase IV study evaluated the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax at-risk individuals aged between 12 years and 64 years and all adults aged 65 years and above.
Data from the same showed that the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax led to greater than an 8-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant on average, across the given age groups. Also, the safety profile of the vaccine was similar to that observed in previous studies, with no new safety concerns seen either.
Per management, the latest results reinforce preclinical data that led to the FDA’s approval of Moderna’s 2025–2026 Spikevax formula last month.
MRNA's Stock Performance
Year to date, shares of Moderna have plunged 40.3% against the industry’s growth of 2.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Recent FDA Nod to Updated COVID-19 Jabs for MRNA & Others
However, for those under 65, the vaccines are permitted only for individuals with underlying conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19.
The FDA approved Moderna’s two COVID-19 vaccines — Spikevax and the recently approved next-generation refrigerator-stable version called mNexspike. While Spikevax was cleared for use in individuals aged six months to 64 years who have at least one high-risk condition, mNexspike was approved for use in those aged 12 to 64 years.
Pfizer’s/BioNTech’s Comirnaty was approved for at-risk individuals aged five years and older.
Earlier this month, PFE/BNTX announced top-line data from an ongoing phase III study, which evaluated the updated formulation of Comirnaty in at-risk individuals aged between 12 years and 64 years and all adults aged 65 years and above. The updated vaccine demonstrated a 4-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant on average, across the age groups.
Novavax’s protein-based vaccine Nuvaxovid was approved for at-risk individuals aged 12 to 64 years. Novavax’s Nuvaxovid is the only non-mRNA-based vaccine that is currently available.
Image: Bigstock
MRNA Stock Rises as Updated COVID-19 Jab Shows Strong Immune Response
Key Takeaways
Shares of Moderna (MRNA - Free Report) were up 4% yesterday after the company announced positive preliminary immunogenicity data from an ongoing phase IV study, which evaluated the updated version of its COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, targeting the LP.8.1 variant of the COVID-19 virus.
The phase IV study evaluated the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax at-risk individuals aged between 12 years and 64 years and all adults aged 65 years and above.
Data from the same showed that the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax led to greater than an 8-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant on average, across the given age groups. Also, the safety profile of the vaccine was similar to that observed in previous studies, with no new safety concerns seen either.
Per management, the latest results reinforce preclinical data that led to the FDA’s approval of Moderna’s 2025–2026 Spikevax formula last month.
MRNA's Stock Performance
Year to date, shares of Moderna have plunged 40.3% against the industry’s growth of 2.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Recent FDA Nod to Updated COVID-19 Jabs for MRNA & Others
Last month, the FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) / BioNTech (BNTX - Free Report) and Novavax (NVAX - Free Report) for the 2025-26 vaccination season, targeting the LP.8.1 strain of the virus. All these vaccines are cleared for use in adults aged 65 and older.
However, for those under 65, the vaccines are permitted only for individuals with underlying conditions that raise the risk of severe COVID-19.
The FDA approved Moderna’s two COVID-19 vaccines — Spikevax and the recently approved next-generation refrigerator-stable version called mNexspike. While Spikevax was cleared for use in individuals aged six months to 64 years who have at least one high-risk condition, mNexspike was approved for use in those aged 12 to 64 years.
Pfizer’s/BioNTech’s Comirnaty was approved for at-risk individuals aged five years and older.
Earlier this month, PFE/BNTX announced top-line data from an ongoing phase III study, which evaluated the updated formulation of Comirnaty in at-risk individuals aged between 12 years and 64 years and all adults aged 65 years and above. The updated vaccine demonstrated a 4-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant on average, across the age groups.
Novavax’s protein-based vaccine Nuvaxovid was approved for at-risk individuals aged 12 to 64 years. Novavax’s Nuvaxovid is the only non-mRNA-based vaccine that is currently available.
Moderna, Inc. Price
Moderna, Inc. price | Moderna, Inc. Quote
MRNA's Zacks Rank
Moderna currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.