Moderna's Stock Slumps 2.77% on $270M Surge to 435th Trading Rank Amid mRNA Funding Cut

On August 6, 2025, Moderna (MRNA) saw a trading volume of $0.27 billion, a 58.89% increase from the prior day, ranking it 435th in market activity. The stock closed down 2.77%, reflecting investor concerns over recent developments in vaccine research funding.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of $500 million in federal funding for mRNA vaccine research, including projects tied to Moderna. The decision, framed as a response to perceived risks of mRNA technology, halts 22 projects and affects contracts with institutions like Emory University and Tiba Biotech. Critics, including former BARDA director Rick Bright, argue the move undermines pandemic preparedness by discarding a rapid-response tool.

Opponents of the funding cuts, such as the American Medical Association, emphasize that mRNA vaccines played a critical role in pandemic mitigation. The abrupt shift toward alternative approaches, like universal vaccines using whole viruses, has drawn skepticism from scientists, who note these methods are slower to develop. The decision aligns with Kennedy’s long-standing skepticism of mRNA technology, raising questions about its broader implications for biotech innovation.

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