Moderna to charge govts $25-$37 for Covid-19 vaccine: CEO tells paper

Moderna has said its experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial.

moderna, covid, vaccine, pharma, coronavirus, medicine, drugs, medical research, covid, lab — In this July 27, 2020, file photo, a nurse prepares a shot that is part of a possible Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., in Binghamton, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

Reuters Frankfurt

2 min read Last Updated : Nov 23 2020 | 1:35 AM IST

Moderna will charge governments between $25 and $37 per dose of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, depending on the amount ordered, Chief Executive Stephane Bancel told German weekly 'Welt am Sonntag' (WamS).

"Our vaccine therefore costs about the same as a flu shot, which is between $10 and $50," he was quoted as saying.

On Monday, an EU official involved in the talks said the European Commission wanted to reach a deal with Moderna for the supply of millions of doses of its vaccine candidate for a price below $25 per dose.

"Nothing is signed yet, but we're close to a deal with the EU Commission. We want to deliver to Europe and are in constructive talks," Bancel told WamS, adding it was just a "matter of days" until a contract would be ready.

Moderna has said its experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial, becoming the second developer to report results that far exceeded expectations after Pfizer and its partner BioNTech.

The EU has been in talks with Moderna for its experimental COVID-19 vaccine at least since July.

FDA allows emergency use of antibody drug Trump received

Marilynn Marchione | AP | PTI

Washington

US health officials have agreed to allow emergency use of a second antibody drug to help the immune system fight Covid-19, an experimental medicine that President Donald Trump was given when he was sickened last month.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised use of the Regeneron Pharmaceuticals drug on Saturday to try to prevent hospitalisation and worsening disease from developing in patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

The drug is given as a one-time treatment through an IV. The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms) and who are at high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 because of age or certain other medical conditions.

Emergency authorisation allows use of the drug to start while studies are continuing to establish safety and effectiveness. Early results suggest the drug may reduce Covid-19-related hospitalisation.