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The company has already received down payments from numerous countries.

Pharmaceutical company Moderna, one of the numerous companies currently contracted to produce a vaccine against COVID-19, is currently deep in trials on its potential vaccine candidate. Last week, it announced that enrollment had completed on its 30,000 participant late-stage trial, featuring a mix of participants from different ethnicities, genders, ages, and risk factors. The safety monitoring board will be analyzing the results of the trial in November to determine whether they are successful, though the tests cannot proceed until at least 53 participants test positive for COVID-19.


Moderna is optimistic about this vaccine candidate, and as such, has already begun making preparations for a worldwide rollout to be carried out once they receive the green light. According to Moderna’s Q3 earnings report, released today, the company has already received over $1.1 billion in deposits from various world governments for doses. Moderna is in talks with the World Health Organization through the COVAX initiative to discuss pricing plans, with the company previously stating that bulk purchases of the vaccine would allow them to charge less.

“We are actively preparing for the launch of mRNA-1273 and we have signed a number of supply agreements with governments around the world,” Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel said in a press release. “Moderna is committed to the highest data quality standards and rigorous scientific research as we continue to work with regulators to advance mRNA-1273.”

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Part of the rollout planning process for the vaccine includes mass refrigeration and storage. Moderna’s vaccine candidate needs to be stored at minus-4 degrees Fahrenheit, and can remain as such for up to six months. When it’s time for vaccine to be used, it can be kept in an ordinary refrigerator at about 36 degrees for up to a week, though a dose will need to be used within 12 hours of full thaw.

Shares in Moderna rose 3% during late-morning stock trading after this information was divulged this morning.