The United States has placed an order for 300 million doses of Moderna's two-dose Covid-19 vaccine, as part of a global procurement effort. The Massachusetts-based biotech firm charges $30 for the required two doses in the US.
Moderna, founded just 11 years ago and previously unprofitable, expects 2021 sales of $18.4bn from its vaccine. Barclays analyst Gena Wang forecasts sales of $19.6bn this year, $12.2bn in 2022 and $11.4bn in 2023, assuming recurring vaccinations.
The company's chief executive, Stéphane Bancel, owns 9% of shares, now worth nearly $5bn. Early investors who backed the firm in 2010 have also made substantial returns.
Other vaccine makers have secured varying orders and pricing. Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine costs $39 for two doses in the US, with 200 million doses ordered. Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine is priced at $10 per dose, with 100 million doses ordered by the US. AstraZeneca has pledged not-for-profit pricing at $4.30 to $10 per two-dose course, with 300 million doses ordered by the US.
The global vaccine market, worth tens of billions of dollars, continues to evolve as governments secure supplies to combat the pandemic.
