Vertex Discontinues VX-522 Clinical Trial
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy MRNA?
The company states: "Today, Vertex (VRTX) announced that it has decided to discontinue the Phase 1/2 study of the investigational inhaled CFTR mRNA candidate for cystic fibrosis, VX-522. Despite extensive efforts by both teams, we were not able to achieve a profile that supported continued development given tolerability issues. The early termination precludes assessment of efficacy and full safety and prevents further development of the VX-522 program. The program brought together the strengths of Vertex and Moderna with a shared goal: to help people living with CF who do not benefit from existing therapies. Together our teams worked with urgency to explore the potential of delivering mRNA directly to the lungs to restore CFTR protein function. This is a disappointing outcome, particularly for patients and families in the CF community who continue to wait for new options, and for the many colleagues across Vertex and Moderna who have dedicated years to this program. I want to personally thank our teams for their commitment, innovation and resilience. We are especially grateful to the trial participants, their families, investigators and site staff, trial networks and our partners for their essential contributions. We are thankful for the collaboration with Vertex and the shared commitment behind it. This program represented our only inhaled therapeutic approach and utilized a unique formulation and delivery system, with no broader implications for our portfolio. That said, the learnings are important and will inform our broader scientific efforts as we continue to advance our mRNA pipeline across multiple modalities."
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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: 48.790
Low
17.00
Averages
32.47
High
63.00
Current: 48.790
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.
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