Biotechnology company Moderna reached a deal with the U.S. government on Tuesday to deliver 100 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Moderna said the deal for its mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate is worth $1.525 billion and includes the option for the United States to purchase up to 400 million doses of the potential vaccine. The United States has invested $2.48 billion in Moderna’s vaccine candidate. Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said, “We appreciate the confidence of the U.S. government in our mRNA vaccine platform and the continued support.”
The United States has also reached agreements with Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson for their vaccine candidates. President Trump said during a briefing at the White House Tuesday, “We are investing in the development and manufacture of the top six vaccine candidates to ensure rapid delivery. The military is ready to go, they’re ready to deliver a vaccine to Americans as soon as one is fully approved by the FDA and we’re very close to that approval.”
