Newsroom
According to a report in the Financial Times, Moderna's combined COVID-19 and flu vaccine has demonstrated efficacy equivalent to that of separate shots in late-stage trials, according to results published on Monday. The phase 3 trial, involving over 8,000 adults aged 50 and older, showed that the combination vaccine was as effective as Moderna's standalone COVID-19 vaccine and two widely used flu vaccines, Fluzone and Fluarix. The combined shot also exhibited higher efficacy against three specific flu strains, including H1N1 swine flu.
Moderna plans to publish the interim data in a peer-reviewed journal and submit it for US regulatory approval later this year, with an FDA decision potentially coming by next summer. If approved, Moderna aims to launch the first combined COVID-19 and flu shot by the 2025 winter season. The combined vaccine also demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile.
CEO Stéphane Bancel highlighted the market potential, noting that the convenience of a single shot could increase vaccine uptake, especially among those hesitant about multiple injections. This new product could allow Moderna to access the $8 billion seasonal flu vaccine market, which is larger than the market for COVID-19 vaccines.
The announcement comes as Moderna's share price has increased by 37% this year, driven by investor interest in its H5 pandemic flu vaccine candidate and broader efforts to diversify its mRNA-based vaccine portfolio. Moderna's stock, though still down about 67% from its peak during the pandemic, has been buoyed by recent positive developments, including the approval of a vaccine targeting respiratory syncytial virus.
