Moderna seeks outside funding for late-stage vaccine trials

Moderna Inc. is actively seeking outside investment from pharmaceutical companies and financial partners to support its late-stage vaccine trials, particularly for vaccines targeting latent viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, and varicella-zoster virus. CEO Stéphane Bancel emphasized that the company aims to advance these vaccine candidates while controlling costs by utilizing existing production capacity and avoiding additional capital expenditures. This strategic shift comes amid declining COVID-19 vaccine revenues and changes in vaccine policies under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Despite holding over $8.5 billion in cash, Moderna's funding pursuit is motivated by maximizing capital efficiency rather than bridging financial gaps. Analysts present mixed views on Moderna's stock, with an average target price implying a significant upside but also some downside risk according to valuation estimates. The company is prioritizing finding the best strategic partners to ensure successful development without rushing and potentially destroying shareholder value.