MarsBars Shares of Moderna ( NASDAQ: MRNA ), Pfizer ( NYSE: PFE ), BioNTech ( NASDAQ: BNTX ), and Novavax ( NASDAQ: NVAX ) are continuing a recent upswing as investors look for their post-pandemic growth trajectory amid declining demand for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. All four stocks are outperforming the broader biotech sector, as represented by the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF ( XBI ), on Wednesday, despite sharply trailing the industry over the past three years amid a notable decline in their COVID-backed revenue streams. Their recent upswing coincides with a change in their long-held narratives, as companies channel their pandemic-era resources for new growth avenues.
Pfizer ( PFE ) completed its ~$43B Seagen acquisition in December, turning to a new class of cancer drugs called antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) to bring back its growth momentum. The New York-based pharma giant has announced numerous cost-cutting initiatives in recent months to improve its bottom line following ~ a 42% YoY revenue decline in 2023. Meanwhile, Moderna ( MRNA ) is awaiting a potential FDA nod for its messenger-RNA-based vaccine targeted at respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this month.
If approved, the company is expected to join Pfizer ( PFE ) and GSK ( GSK ) in the RSV vaccine market, which, according to the London-based health analytics firm Airfinity, could surpass $10B by 2030 in G7 countries. BioNTech ( BNTX ), Pfizer’s ( PFE ) partner for its Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine, is diversifying .
