Moderna axes three clinical-stage mRNA candidates to focus R&D on oncology

USA—Moderna, the Massachusetts-based biotechnology company that gained prominence through its COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax, has announced it will discontinue three clinical mRNA programs as part of a broader cost efficiency strategy.

The company revealed the decision on November 20, marking a significant shift in its research and development priorities.

The first program to receive the axe targets herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Moderna will not advance its therapeutic vaccine candidate, mRNA-1608, into phase 3 testing.

The company initiated a phase 1/2 study for this vaccine in 2023, which concluded earlier this spring.

This decision follows a similar setback in the HSV vaccine race, where GSK abandoned its own candidate, GSK3943104, after it failed to reduce episodes of recurrent genital herpes in phase 2 trials this September.

With Moderna now stepping back, BioNTech remains the only major pharmaceutical company actively pursuing an mRNA-based HSV vaccine through ongoing phase 1 trials.

Moderna has also decided against advancing mRNA-1468, a shingles vaccine designed for healthy adults aged 50 and older.

Although a phase 1/2 trial continues with results expected in mid-2026, the company confirmed it will not pursue late-stage testing for this candidate.

The third discontinued program involves mRNA-3745, an intravenous treatment for glycogen storage disease type 1a, a genetic disorder.

Despite launching a phase 1/2 study in 2022, Moderna will not move this therapy into phase 2 development.

These cuts follow October’s discontinuation of mRNA-1647, a vaccine targeting congenital cytomegalovirus, which failed to protect women in a large phase 3 trial.

However, Moderna continues evaluating this vaccine in phase 2 trials for bone marrow transplant patients.

A company spokesperson explained that Moderna has “prioritized our pipeline and R&D investments as part of our broader cost efficiency efforts,” though the company provided no additional details about the specific discontinuations.

The restructuring comes as Moderna works to stabilize its business after pandemic-era sales peaks.

The company outlined a three-year strategy aiming for up to 10% revenue growth in 2026 and secured a five-year loan from Ares Management worth USD1.5 billion.

Dr. Kyle Holen, Moderna’s head of development, therapeutics and oncology, indicated the company now emphasizes oncology programs over infectious disease research.

Most upcoming investigational new drug applications will focus on cancer treatments, reflecting this strategic pivot.