|
 Deals
for "booster" doses, nations looking to stock up supplies for 2022
and beyond and a likely authorization for use of the vaccines in
kids have led Moderna and its larger rival Pfizer to ramp up their
supplies.
Moderna said an initial analysis of a study in adolescents aged
12-17 years showed an efficacy rate of 96% for its vaccine.
The company has also been working on a new version that could extend
the time the vaccine can be stored in refrigerator temperatures,
making it easier to distribute, especially in lower-income
countries.
However, Moderna shares along with other global vaccine makers fell
in premarket trading following U.S. President Joe Biden's decision
to support a waiver of intellectual property rights for COVID-19
vaccines.
While the move is aimed at increasing vaccine availability in poorer
countries, it could potentially hit sales of COVID-19 vaccines.
Chief Executive Stéphane Bancel said the company could sign more
deals with countries for supply of the vaccine in 2022 than in 2021.
[to top of second column] |
Earlier this week, Pfizer raised its full-year forecast for the
COVID-19 vaccine it developed with Germany's BioNTech to $26
billion.
Moderna had in February forecast vaccine sales of $18.4 billion. In
the first quarter ended March 31, its vaccine brought in sales of
$1.7 billion, helping the drugmaker record a profit for the first
time ever.
The company said it plans to file for full approval of the vaccine
in the United States this month.
(Reporting by Manas Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
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