The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Moderna, BioNTech, Novavax and Pfizer
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 23, 2023 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Moderna MRNA, BioNTech BNTX, Novavax NVAX and Pfizer PFE.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
U.S. Government to Urge Citizens to Get New Covid-19 Shots
On Aug 21, shares of several COVID-19 vaccine developers rose after a Reuters article suggested that the Biden administration will start a fall campaign urging all Americans to inoculate themselves with the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
The report came to light amid the rising COVID-19 infection cases as new subvariants of the virus continue to emerge. Per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), total hospitalizations due to COVID-19 rose by almost 22% in the most recent week.
In response to the article, shares of Moderna, BioNTech and Novavax rose 9.3%, 6.5% and 13.0%, respectively, on Monday. All these vaccine makers are slated to roll out their respective updated vaccines during the upcoming fall season. These updated vaccines are likely to protect against the newer variants of the virus, including EG.5 (also known as ‘Eris’).
Recently designated by the World Health Organization (“WHO”) as a variant of interest, Eris is currently the dominant variant in the United States. Infection cases from FL.1.5.1 (also known as ‘Fornax’) are growing in the United States. Per the latest CDC data, Eris is responsible for more than 20% of COVID-19 infections in the country, while Fornax accounted for over 13% of all cases nationwide.
Last week, Moderna reported preliminary results from a clinical study showing that its updated COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273.815 significantly boosted neutralizing antibodies against the Eris and Fornax variants.Moderna has also submitted a regulatory application to the FDA seeking authorization for mRNA-1273.815. A final FDA decision is expected in the coming weeks for the vaccine’s launch for the upcoming fall season. A similar regulatory submission is also currently under review in Europe.
This June, BioNTech and partner Pfizer submitted filings in the United States and Europe seeking approval for their Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine. If approved, the companies intend to launch their vaccine for the fall season. Last week, Reuters reported that the updated BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine was effective against the Eris variant in a study conducted on mice. BioNTech/Pfizer expects to prepare their updated vaccine for supply immediately post-regulatory approvals.
Alongside its second-quarter 2023 results, Novavax announced that it had initiated a filing with the FDA for its updated COVID-19 vaccine. It aims to submit one in Europe in the coming weeks. Novavax stated that it is manufacturing its protein-based monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID vaccine candidate commercially, intended to be in the market during the upcoming fall vaccination campaign. Novavax aims to make its updated vaccine available and accessible on par with other COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine makers are suffering a heavy beatdown in product sales and market value as COVID-19 cases have significantly dropped compared with the last couple of years. Though the current rise in COVID-19 infection cases is expected to help revive demand for vaccines and support these companies in driving the top and the bottom line, a substantial boost, which was observed in the last few years – is unlikely.
Why Haven’t You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks?
Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +6.2 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +46.4%, +49.5% and +55.2% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.
See Stocks Free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
BioNTech SE Sponsored ADR (BNTX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
