FDA Panel Recommends Updating COVID Vaccines for XFG Variant
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 hours ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Vaccine Update Recommendation: The FDA advisory panel voted 8-0 to recommend updating COVID vaccines for the 2026-27 season to target the XFG variant, which now accounts for over half of COVID cases in the U.S., despite concerns about limited data from some members.
- Variant Impact: Known as 'Stratus', the XFG variant carries mutations that may help it partially evade existing antibody protection, highlighting the urgency of updating vaccines to address the evolving virus landscape.
- Manufacturing Capability: Briefing documents revealed that manufacturers like Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax confirmed their ability to produce updated vaccines in time for the 2026-27 season, ensuring continuity in vaccine supply.
- Policy Background Shift: The relatively calm discussion during the meeting contrasts sharply with the turbulence surrounding federal vaccine policy since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became Health Secretary, indicating a potential new direction for the FDA in vaccine policy.
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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: 47.570
Low
17.00
Averages
32.47
High
63.00
Current: 47.570
Low
17.00
Averages
32.47
High
63.00
About MRNA
Moderna, Inc. is a biotechnology company advancing a new class of medicines made of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). It is engaged in developing medicines across infectious disease vaccines, oncology therapeutics and rare disease therapeutics. Its platform incorporates advances across three components, mRNA, delivery, and the manufacturing process, to advance its medicines. Its products are Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE (its COVID vaccines), and mRESVIA (its vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)). It also has a diverse development pipeline that consists of 35 therapeutic and vaccine programs, six of which are in late-stage development. It has regulatory filings under review for its seasonal flu+COVID vaccine (mRNA-1083) in Europe and Canada and for its seasonal flu vaccine (mRNA-1010) in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia. Its rare disease programs are Propionic acidemia (mRNA-3927); Methylmalonic acidemia (mRNA-3705), and Cystic Fibrosis (mRNA-3692/VX-522).
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.
FDA Panel Recommends Updating COVID Vaccines for XFG Variant
- Vaccine Update Recommendation: The FDA advisory panel voted 8-0 to recommend updating COVID vaccines for the 2026-27 season to target the XFG variant, which now accounts for over half of COVID cases in the U.S., despite concerns about limited data from some members.
- Variant Impact: Known as 'Stratus', the XFG variant carries mutations that may help it partially evade existing antibody protection, highlighting the urgency of updating vaccines to address the evolving virus landscape.
- Manufacturing Capability: Briefing documents revealed that manufacturers like Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax confirmed their ability to produce updated vaccines in time for the 2026-27 season, ensuring continuity in vaccine supply.
- Policy Background Shift: The relatively calm discussion during the meeting contrasts sharply with the turbulence surrounding federal vaccine policy since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became Health Secretary, indicating a potential new direction for the FDA in vaccine policy.
See More
FDA Advisory Panel to Vote on COVID Vaccine Target Variant
- Vaccine Target Variant Discussion: The FDA's advisory panel is set to vote on Thursday regarding whether COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-2027 immunization campaign should target the dominant XFG variant, despite limited data on circulating strains, which could impact vaccine efficacy and public health strategies.
- Sign of Procedural Normalcy: The lack of membership changes in the FDA advisory panel indicates a return to procedural normalcy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following a series of vaccine policy upheavals, which may help restore public trust in vaccination efforts.
- Monitoring Data Gaps: Assessing the evolution of COVID-19 has become increasingly challenging due to declines in virologic surveillance, sequencing volumes, and timely data sharing from public health departments, as reflected in the CDC's COVID dashboard, where weekly data is currently unavailable due to low sequencing submissions, potentially delaying vaccine strategy updates.
- Variant Evolution and Vaccine Recommendations: The FDA's briefing documents highlight that since last year, the evolution of COVID variants has continued, with LP.8.1 still recommended, but the emergence of new variants like NB.1.8.1 may necessitate adjustments in targets for vaccine manufacturers to effectively respond to the evolving pandemic landscape.
See More
FDA Advisory Panel to Discuss 2026-2027 COVID Vaccine Composition
- Vaccine Target Selection: The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will vote this week on whether to select the SARS-CoV-2 subvariant XFG as the target for the 2026-2027 COVID vaccines, a decision that will directly influence future vaccine development directions.
- Variant Advantage Analysis: The XFG variant, which emerged from the JN.1 variant, is currently one of the dominant COVID strains in the U.S. and internationally, possessing a growth advantage over the previously dominant LP.8.1 variant, indicating the need for timely vaccine updates to address new challenges.
- Vaccine Production Readiness: In briefing documents released ahead of the meeting, the FDA noted that all licensed COVID vaccine manufacturers have indicated their readiness to produce XFG-targeting vaccines in time for the 2026-27 vaccination season, demonstrating the industry's ability to respond quickly to new variants.
- Vaccine Design Recommendations: Based on last year's VRBPAC recommendations, the FDA has advised vaccine manufacturers to design monovalent COVID vaccines targeting JN.1, preferably LP.8.1, to ensure that vaccines are timely updated to respond to the then-dominant strains, enhancing public health response capabilities.
See More
Workday and Lumentum Options Trading Active
- Workday Options Volume: Today, Workday Inc's options volume reached 24,792 contracts, representing approximately 2.5 million shares, which is 52.2% of its average daily trading volume of 4.8 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Put Option Activity: Within Workday, the $111 strike put option has seen particularly high activity, with 3,532 contracts traded today, equating to about 353,200 underlying shares, suggesting investor expectations of potential price declines.
- Lumentum Options Volume: Similarly, Lumentum Holdings Inc's options trading is robust, with 29,245 contracts traded, representing approximately 2.9 million shares, which accounts for 47% of its average daily trading volume of 6.2 million shares over the past month, reflecting strong market interest in its stock.
- Put Option Trading Details: For Lumentum, the $800 strike put option has recorded a trading volume of 1,375 contracts today, representing about 137,500 underlying shares, highlighting investor focus on potential price fluctuations ahead.
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Moderna's Flu Vaccine Approval Faces New Setback
- FDA Hearing Scheduled: The U.S. FDA plans to hold a Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on June 18 to discuss Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu vaccine, just weeks ahead of the August 5 target date for approval, adding uncertainty to the approval process.
- Application Rejection and Reversal: Although the FDA rejected Moderna's biologics license application in February, it reversed its decision a week later, highlighting the complexity and volatility of the approval process, which has impacted investor confidence.
- Market Reaction: Following the FDA's announcement of the hearing, Moderna's shares fell over 2% on Thursday, reflecting market concerns about the vaccine's approval prospects, despite the stock gaining over 82% in the past 12 months.
- Vaccine Launch Plans: Moderna aims to make the vaccine available for adults aged 50 and older in time for the 2026-27 flu season, indicating the company's focus on the market potential among older demographics while facing regulatory challenges.
See More
Moderna's Flu Vaccine Application Set for FDA Review
- FDA Review Meeting Scheduled: Moderna's marketing application for its flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, will be reviewed by independent FDA experts next month, with the meeting set for June 18, marking a significant advancement in the company's vaccine development.
- Biologics License Application Accepted: In February, the FDA accepted Moderna's biologics license application, reversing a prior decision to refuse review, indicating a renewed assessment of the vaccine's potential by the regulatory body.
- Target Action Date Established: The FDA has set August 5, 2026, as the target action date related to the biologics license application, aiming to provide vaccination for adults aged 50 and older for the 2026/2027 flu season.
- Clinical Trial Data Requirements: The FDA previously issued a refusal-to-file letter due to a lack of data from an 'adequate and well-controlled' clinical trial, underscoring the stringent data requirements that must be met before vaccine approval.
See More
FDA Panel Recommends Updating COVID Vaccines for XFG Variant
- Vaccine Update Recommendation: The FDA advisory panel voted 8-0 to recommend updating COVID vaccines for the 2026-27 season to target the XFG variant, which now accounts for over half of COVID cases in the U.S., despite concerns about limited data from some members.
- Variant Impact: Known as 'Stratus', the XFG variant carries mutations that may help it partially evade existing antibody protection, highlighting the urgency of updating vaccines to address the evolving virus landscape.
- Manufacturing Capability: Briefing documents revealed that manufacturers like Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax confirmed their ability to produce updated vaccines in time for the 2026-27 season, ensuring continuity in vaccine supply.
- Policy Background Shift: The relatively calm discussion during the meeting contrasts sharply with the turbulence surrounding federal vaccine policy since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became Health Secretary, indicating a potential new direction for the FDA in vaccine policy.
See More
FDA Advisory Panel to Vote on COVID Vaccine Target Variant
- Vaccine Target Variant Discussion: The FDA's advisory panel is set to vote on Thursday regarding whether COVID-19 vaccines for the 2026-2027 immunization campaign should target the dominant XFG variant, despite limited data on circulating strains, which could impact vaccine efficacy and public health strategies.
- Sign of Procedural Normalcy: The lack of membership changes in the FDA advisory panel indicates a return to procedural normalcy under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., following a series of vaccine policy upheavals, which may help restore public trust in vaccination efforts.
- Monitoring Data Gaps: Assessing the evolution of COVID-19 has become increasingly challenging due to declines in virologic surveillance, sequencing volumes, and timely data sharing from public health departments, as reflected in the CDC's COVID dashboard, where weekly data is currently unavailable due to low sequencing submissions, potentially delaying vaccine strategy updates.
- Variant Evolution and Vaccine Recommendations: The FDA's briefing documents highlight that since last year, the evolution of COVID variants has continued, with LP.8.1 still recommended, but the emergence of new variants like NB.1.8.1 may necessitate adjustments in targets for vaccine manufacturers to effectively respond to the evolving pandemic landscape.
See More
FDA Advisory Panel to Discuss 2026-2027 COVID Vaccine Composition
- Vaccine Target Selection: The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will vote this week on whether to select the SARS-CoV-2 subvariant XFG as the target for the 2026-2027 COVID vaccines, a decision that will directly influence future vaccine development directions.
- Variant Advantage Analysis: The XFG variant, which emerged from the JN.1 variant, is currently one of the dominant COVID strains in the U.S. and internationally, possessing a growth advantage over the previously dominant LP.8.1 variant, indicating the need for timely vaccine updates to address new challenges.
- Vaccine Production Readiness: In briefing documents released ahead of the meeting, the FDA noted that all licensed COVID vaccine manufacturers have indicated their readiness to produce XFG-targeting vaccines in time for the 2026-27 vaccination season, demonstrating the industry's ability to respond quickly to new variants.
- Vaccine Design Recommendations: Based on last year's VRBPAC recommendations, the FDA has advised vaccine manufacturers to design monovalent COVID vaccines targeting JN.1, preferably LP.8.1, to ensure that vaccines are timely updated to respond to the then-dominant strains, enhancing public health response capabilities.
See More
Workday and Lumentum Options Trading Active
- Workday Options Volume: Today, Workday Inc's options volume reached 24,792 contracts, representing approximately 2.5 million shares, which is 52.2% of its average daily trading volume of 4.8 million shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Put Option Activity: Within Workday, the $111 strike put option has seen particularly high activity, with 3,532 contracts traded today, equating to about 353,200 underlying shares, suggesting investor expectations of potential price declines.
- Lumentum Options Volume: Similarly, Lumentum Holdings Inc's options trading is robust, with 29,245 contracts traded, representing approximately 2.9 million shares, which accounts for 47% of its average daily trading volume of 6.2 million shares over the past month, reflecting strong market interest in its stock.
- Put Option Trading Details: For Lumentum, the $800 strike put option has recorded a trading volume of 1,375 contracts today, representing about 137,500 underlying shares, highlighting investor focus on potential price fluctuations ahead.
See More
Moderna's Flu Vaccine Approval Faces New Setback
- FDA Hearing Scheduled: The U.S. FDA plans to hold a Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting on June 18 to discuss Moderna's mRNA-1010 flu vaccine, just weeks ahead of the August 5 target date for approval, adding uncertainty to the approval process.
- Application Rejection and Reversal: Although the FDA rejected Moderna's biologics license application in February, it reversed its decision a week later, highlighting the complexity and volatility of the approval process, which has impacted investor confidence.
- Market Reaction: Following the FDA's announcement of the hearing, Moderna's shares fell over 2% on Thursday, reflecting market concerns about the vaccine's approval prospects, despite the stock gaining over 82% in the past 12 months.
- Vaccine Launch Plans: Moderna aims to make the vaccine available for adults aged 50 and older in time for the 2026-27 flu season, indicating the company's focus on the market potential among older demographics while facing regulatory challenges.
See More
Moderna's Flu Vaccine Application Set for FDA Review
- FDA Review Meeting Scheduled: Moderna's marketing application for its flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, will be reviewed by independent FDA experts next month, with the meeting set for June 18, marking a significant advancement in the company's vaccine development.
- Biologics License Application Accepted: In February, the FDA accepted Moderna's biologics license application, reversing a prior decision to refuse review, indicating a renewed assessment of the vaccine's potential by the regulatory body.
- Target Action Date Established: The FDA has set August 5, 2026, as the target action date related to the biologics license application, aiming to provide vaccination for adults aged 50 and older for the 2026/2027 flu season.
- Clinical Trial Data Requirements: The FDA previously issued a refusal-to-file letter due to a lack of data from an 'adequate and well-controlled' clinical trial, underscoring the stringent data requirements that must be met before vaccine approval.
See More
