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Can Moderna Pull Off More Disruptive Innovation? Flu And RSV Shots Are Next Test

Analysts Skeptical About Taking On Established Players

 
• By Andrew McConaghie

Moderna needs to develop new mRNA-based therapies beyond COVID-19, and flu and RSV will be the big readouts in 2023.

The Moderna logo is seen at the Moderna campus in Norwood, Massachusetts on on December 2, 2020, where the biotechnology company is mass producing its Covid-19 vaccine.
Moderna's long-term strategy is to combine its COVID=19, flu and RSV shots in one - but proving efficacy against competitors will be a challenge. • Source: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

More than any other biopharma company, Moderna has been transformed by COVID-19: the company seized the opportunity to use its mRNA platform to rapidly develop the SpikeVax vaccine and made itself a multi-billion dollar company overnight. Nevertheless, investors are concerned about its growth prospects, reflected in a share price which has fallen by nearly 40% from the start of the year (compared with the 15% decline for the NASDAQ biotech index).

Moderna’s CEO Stephane Bancel and his leadership team held their annual R&D day on 8 September, with an eye on convincing skeptics the company can keep

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