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Moderna ETFs to Gain on New Positive COVID-19 Vaccine Data

The first company to start human clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine candidate in the United States — Moderna MRNA — has once again come up with encouraging study data relating to mRNA-1273. Per the latest data from an early stage clinical trial, its experimental coronavirus vaccine is successfully producing neutralizing antibodies and T-cells in older adults similar to those observed in younger participants.

Moderna experimented its vaccine on 10 adults between the ages of 56 and 70 and 10 elderly adults aged 71 and older, according to a CNBC article. Each participant was administered two 100 microgram doses of the vaccine 28 days apart. Following the announcement of the positive data, Moderna’s shares rose around 6.42% in yesterday’s trading session.

Notably, Moderna recently signed a $1.5-billion coronavirus vaccine supply agreement with the U.S. government. The contract has been entered into for the manufacturing and delivery of initial 100 million doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine, mRNA-1273, with the price coming in at nearly $30.50 per person for a two-dose course of treatment (per a Reuters article).

The agreement with Moderna also includes incentive payments for timely delivery of the product. It also states that the U.S. government has an option to purchase up to an additional 400 million doses of the potential coronavirus vaccine from Moderna. Also, going by a Reuters article, Moderna has received nearly $1 billion in funding from the U.S. government under its Operation Warp Speed program.

Moderna’s Journey So Far

Moderna, which is developing this vaccine in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has begun the Phase 3 clinical trial, encompassing 30,000 healthy participants at around 100 research sites in the United States.

The participants in the trial will be given either two 100 microgram doses of the vaccine or a placebo in a gap of around 28 days. Moreover, participants and investigators will not be informed about who has received the vaccine.

Infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, expects the results from the trial to be out by November or December. He also mentioned that there was a ‘distinct possibility’ that the results may come out earlier, per The Washington Post article. Recently, Moderna also received an additional $472-million funding from the U.S. government’s Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which the company believes will provide support in late-stage clinical development of the vaccine.

Moderna has also informed that it is on track to deliver 500 million doses of 100 μg dosage of mRNA-1273 per year, which can possibly increase up to 1 billion doses per year, beginning 2021.

Moderna ETFs to Gain

The competition to come up with a vaccine is opening up near-term opportunities, making the biotech sector a prospective space for investments. Therefore, we discuss a few ETFs that provide exposure to Moderna:

ETFMG Treatments Testing and Advancements ETF GERM

This fund is designed to give direct exposure to biotech companies engaged in the testing and treatments of infectious diseases. Focused on advancements with targeted exposure to the forefront of R&D, vaccines, therapies and testing technologies. It holds 56 stocks in its basket, with Moderna occupying the third spot with 5.92% share. The fund has amassed $61.3 million in its asset base and charges 68 bps in annual fees (read: Another COVID-Themed ETF Digital Health (EDOC) Hits Market).

Principal Healthcare Innovators Index ETF BTEC

This fund invests in companies that are leading the charge toward innovative solutions, rather than spending money on marketing and distribution by tracking the Nasdaq Healthcare Innovators Index. It holds 206 stocks in its basket, with Moderna taking the top spot at 5.18%. BTEC charges 42 bps in annual fees and has AUM of $99.3 million (read: Why Small-Cap Biotech ETFs Are Good Long-Term Bets).

VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF BBH

The underlying MVIS US Listed Biotech 25 Index tracks the overall performance of companies involved in the development and production, marketing and sales of drugs based on genetic analysis and diagnostic equipment. It holds about 24 securities in its basket, with 5.32% exposure to Moderna. Its AUM is $499.3 million and it has an expense ratio of 0.35% (read: How Will Biotech ETFs React to Q2 Earnings Release?).

iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF IDNA

The fund seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, which match the NYSE FactSet Global Genomics and Immuno Biopharma Index. It holds about 46 securities in its basket, with Moderna occupying a weight of 4.52%. It has AUM of $152.2 million and an expense ratio of 0.47% (read: Top-Performing Biotechnology ETFs Amid Coronavirus Outbreak).

The Cancer Immunotherapy ETF CNCR

This ETF offers exposure to a basket of companies that develop therapies to treat cancer by harnessing the body's own immune system. Holding 30 stocks in its basket, it has around 3.67% exposure to Moderna. The fund has AUM of $39.7 million. The product charges 79 basis points in annual fees (read: Biotech ETFs to Gain From Latest Advancements in Cancer Drugs).

Other broader biotech ETFs that comprise companies developing tests, vaccines and therapies for coronavirus include:

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF IBB

This fund seeks to provide exposure to U.S. biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks and tracks the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index. It has AUM of $9.41 billion with an expense ratio of 0.46% (read: Beat the Fed Minutes Blues With These ETF Areas).

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF XBI

The fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, which match the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. It holds about 133 securities in its basket. It has AUM of $5.54 billion and an expense ratio of 0.35%.

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Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB): ETF Research Reports
 
Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF (CNCR): ETF Research Reports
 
SPDR SP Biotech ETF (XBI): ETF Research Reports
 
VanEck Vectors Biotech ETF (BBH): ETF Research Reports
 
Principal Healthcare Innovators Index ETF (BTEC): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare ETF (IDNA): ETF Research Reports
 
ETFMG Treatments, Testing and Advancements ETF (GERM): ETF Research Reports
 
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