MRNA Stock Rises as Updated COVID-19 Jab Shows Strong Immune Response

Core Insights - Moderna's shares increased by 4% following the announcement of positive preliminary immunogenicity data from a phase IV study of its updated COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax, targeting the LP.8.1 variant [1][6] - The phase IV study demonstrated that the 2025-2026 formula of Spikevax resulted in an average increase of over 8-fold in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant across various age groups, with a safety profile consistent with previous studies [2][6] - The FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Novavax for the 2025-26 vaccination season, specifically targeting the LP.8.1 strain [4] Company Performance - Year-to-date, Moderna's shares have decreased by 40.3%, contrasting with the industry's growth of 2.8% [3] Regulatory Approvals - The FDA approved Moderna's Spikevax for individuals aged 6 months to 64 years with at least one high-risk condition, and a next-generation version called mNexspike for those aged 12 to 64 years [7] - Pfizer/BioNTech's Comirnaty was approved for at-risk individuals aged 5 years and older, showing a 4-fold increase in neutralizing antibodies against the LP.8.1 variant in a phase III study [8] - Novavax's Nuvaxovid was approved for at-risk individuals aged 12 to 64 years, being the only non-mRNA-based vaccine currently available [9]