RFK Jr. Ordered the HHS to Stop Funding mRNA Vaccine Development. The Edict Hit a Biotech Working on an Unrelated Treatment.
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 06 2025
0mins
Should l Buy MRNA?
Source: Barron's
Federal Funding Cut: A biotech company lost federal funding after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered the cessation of support for mRNA-based vaccine development.
Company's Clarification: The biotech firm clarified that it was not involved in the development of mRNA-based vaccines at all.
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Analyst Views on MRNA
Wall Street analysts forecast MRNA stock price to fall
20 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
16 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 40.110
Low
17.00
Averages
32.47
High
63.00
Current: 40.110
Low
17.00
Averages
32.47
High
63.00
About MRNA
Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company. The Company is advancing a new class of medicines made of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). It is developing therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases and autoimmune diseases. mRNA medicines are designed to direct the body’s cells to produce intracellular, membrane or secreted proteins that have a therapeutic or preventive benefit with the potential to address a spectrum of diseases. The Company’s diverse development pipeline consists of 44 therapeutic and vaccine programs, 11 of which are in late-stage development. Its commercial products include Spikevax (its COVID vaccine) and mRESVIA (its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine). Additionally, it has achieved four positive Phase III data readouts for its COVID vaccine (mRNA-1283), its RSV vaccine for high-risk adults aged 18 to 59 (mRNA-1345), its seasonal flu+COVID vaccine (mRNA-1083), and its seasonal flu vaccine (mRNA-1010).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Regulatory Challenges: However, the FDA's refusal of Moderna's flu vaccine application raises concerns about the company's vaccine product line, potentially impacting future sales forecasts.
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See More
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- Lawsuit Initiated: Several medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association, filed a lawsuit on Friday to prevent the CDC from holding its next vaccine advisory meeting, arguing that the CDC's overhaul of immunization guidelines could jeopardize public health.
- Vaccine Policy Changes: Under Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC recommended earlier this year a significant reduction in the number of diseases covered by the childhood immunization schedule from 17 to 11, raising widespread concerns about the implications for public health.
- Committee Restructuring: Kennedy's abrupt dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June, followed by the appointment of critics of mRNA vaccines, is viewed as a major interference in vaccine policy that could affect medical practices.
- Public Health Risks: Attorney James Oh stated that this policy change poses a “clear and present danger” to public health and could undermine the functions and missions of healthcare organizations, with Judge Murphy acknowledging the need for a timely decision in this case.
See More
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- Inflation Data Impact: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.2% month-over-month increase in the Consumer Price Index for January, with a 2.4% annual rise, which was below expectations and led to shifts in market expectations regarding Federal Reserve rate policies, with traders now betting on a potential 25 basis point cut in June, reflecting concerns over future economic slowdown.
- Tech Stocks Sell-Off: Amid fears of AI disruption, the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.2%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.1%, but all three major indices posted weekly losses exceeding 1%, indicating a waning investor confidence in tech stocks.
- Divergent Stock Performances: Rivian (RIVN) shares surged over 25% following a strong fourth-quarter earnings report, while Pinterest (PINS) plummeted more than 20% due to revenue misses, highlighting varying market perceptions of companies' adaptability in the AI era.
- Increased Market Volatility: As investor concerns about the disruptive potential of AI intensified, stocks in wealth management, transportation, and logistics sectors faced significant declines, leading to a more cautious market sentiment that reflects uncertainty about future economic conditions.
See More
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- Strong Performance in Health Care: Health care stocks rose on Friday afternoon, with the NYSE Health Care Index gaining 1.1%, reflecting increased investor confidence in the sector, likely driven by an overall improvement in market sentiment.
- Market Sentiment Recovery: The rise in health care stocks may be correlated with a broader market recovery trend, as investors reassess the investment value of the health care sector after recent volatility, indicating optimism about future growth potential.
- Increased Investor Attention: With ongoing innovations and policy support in the health care industry, investor attention towards health care stocks has significantly increased, potentially attracting more capital into the sector and driving stock prices higher.
- Optimistic Industry Outlook: The growth potential and stability of the health care sector make it attractive amid economic uncertainties, leading investors to view it as a safe haven, further propelling the upward trend in health care stocks.
See More
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- Revenue and Cost Control: Moderna reported total revenues of $1.9 billion for 2025, with Q4 revenue at $700 million, reflecting a decline from the previous quarter primarily due to reduced COVID vaccine sales; simultaneously, operating expenses were cut by $2.2 billion, showcasing significant achievements in cost management.
- Strategic Partnerships and Product Launches: The company secured a five-year strategic agreement with Mexico for respiratory vaccine supply and a global commercialization deal with Recordati, indicating proactive efforts in international market expansion and new product launches.
- R&D and Financial Outlook: Moderna anticipates revenue growth of up to 10% in 2026, primarily driven by international markets, with projected R&D expenses of $3 billion, reflecting ongoing commitment and confidence in new product development.
- Regulatory Challenges and Market Response: In light of the FDA's refusal-to-file letter regarding the flu vaccine, management acknowledged the regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. as a significant challenge, leading analysts to express concerns about the sustainability of future revenues, which reflects a cautious market sentiment regarding the company's outlook.
See More
Significant Stock Movements for Moderna and Others
- Moderna's Positive Outlook: Moderna anticipates a revenue growth of up to 10% by 2025, surpassing the FactSet consensus of 5.9%, despite reporting a narrower fourth-quarter loss of $2.11 per share compared to the expected $2.54, indicating resilience in its market position.
- Maplebear's Strong Performance: Maplebear's Instacart forecasts gross transaction value between $10.13 billion and $10.28 billion for the current quarter, exceeding the $9.97 billion StreetAccount estimate, while adjusted EBITDA is expected to be between $280 million and $290 million, reflecting improved profitability.
- Wendy's Earnings Beat: Wendy's reported adjusted earnings of 16 cents per share and revenue of $543 million for the fourth quarter, both exceeding FactSet expectations, demonstrating its sustained competitiveness in the fast-food market.
- Rivian's Upgraded Delivery Forecast: Rivian projects vehicle deliveries of 62,000 to 67,000 units in 2026, representing a 47% to 59% increase from 2025, and despite a fourth-quarter adjusted loss of 54 cents per share, revenue of $1.29 billion surpassed estimates, indicating strong market demand.
See More
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- Sales Performance Exceeds Expectations: Moderna's Q4 sales surpassed market expectations, with specific figures undisclosed, indicating strong performance in the vaccine market and boosting investor confidence.
- Positive Growth Outlook: The company maintains an optimistic growth outlook for 2026, anticipating continued benefits from increased vaccine demand, particularly in emerging markets, which could drive long-term revenue growth.
- Regulatory Challenges: However, the FDA's refusal of Moderna's flu vaccine application raises concerns about the company's vaccine product line, potentially impacting future sales forecasts.
- Market Reaction: Despite facing regulatory challenges, Moderna's overall performance remains robust, and investors should monitor how the company addresses FDA feedback and the progress of future vaccine development.
See More
