Vaccine makers up as FDA advisers mull targeting LP.8.1 subvariant in new COVID shots

Shares of vaccine makers rise ahead of the U.S. FDA advisers' discussion on whether to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for 2025-26 for targeting the LP.8.1 subvariant

Shares of Moderna MRNA.O up 11.2% at $29.24, Pfizer PFE.N up 2.2% at $23.51 and Novavax NVAX.O up 2.2% at $7.91

LP.8.1 strain is spreading faster than other variants, becoming dominant in different parts of the world, including the U.S. and Europe

FDA also plans to mandate new clinical trials for the approval of annual COVID boosters for Americans under 65 in good health, effectively limiting their availability this fall to older adults and those with a higher risk of developing severe illness

Including session's moves, MRNA down 30.7%, PFE down 11.8% and NVAX down 3.2%, YTD