The Case for Moderna and Regeneron: Two Stocks Worth Watching for the Long Haul

In recent years, both Moderna (MRNA) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) have found themselves on something of a rocky path, with stock prices in a downward spiral. The former has dropped a staggering 75%, while the latter has seen a more modest decline of 32%. But before you hastily sell your shares, consider this: the story is far from over, and both of these biotechs might just surprise you in the coming decade. Let me take you through the reasoning behind this outlook.

1. Moderna

Ah, Moderna. You can practically hear the applause still ringing from their meteoric rise during the pandemic. Their mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine was nothing short of a game-changer, and yes, it made the company a fortune. But with the world finally moving beyond the worst of the pandemic, it’s easy to assume that Moderna’s moment has passed, that the vaccine cash cow has been milked dry. Well, I beg to differ.

Yes, the pandemic’s grip has loosened, but the virus itself remains, stubbornly hovering in the background. People-particularly those in vulnerable groups-are still going to want their boosters, and Moderna is likely to remain at the helm of this ongoing vaccination saga. This year alone, the company expects between $1.5 billion and $2.2 billion in revenue from its COVID-related products. So, while COVID-19 may not be the world-ending crisis it once was, Moderna’s business is still thriving, albeit at a more modest pace.

But here’s where things get even more interesting. Moderna’s pipeline has been evolving over the past three years, and it’s not just about COVID anymore. Take, for example, their new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mResvia, which has already hit the market. Or, if you want to talk cutting-edge, there’s their work on a vaccine for cytomegalovirus (CMV)-a rather obscure but important virus that affects many people globally.

And let’s not overlook the flu vaccine. Moderna’s mRNA-1010 has performed admirably in clinical trials, offering stronger protection against the flu than its competition. Considering how ineffective many flu vaccines can be, this could be a significant leap forward in preventing seasonal misery. But the real gem in Moderna’s pipeline is a personalized cancer vaccine, mRNA-4157, developed in collaboration with Merck. This vaccine is already showing promise, having reduced the risk of recurrence or death in melanoma patients when combined with Merck’s Keytruda. And it’s not just melanoma-it’s being tested for a range of other cancers as well.

While Moderna’s stock price has been hammered, it’s not all doom and gloom. With a robust pipeline and plenty of upside potential, patient investors might just find themselves rewarded over the next decade.

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2. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Now, onto Regeneron-a company that’s been battling its own set of challenges, particularly in the form of competition. Regeneron’s Eylea, a treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, has been a cornerstone of its business, but recently it faced a challenger in the form of Vabysmo, a treatment from Genentech (a division of Roche). To make matters more complicated, biosimilar versions of Eylea started to emerge, nipping at its heels.

But, as with many stories in the world of business, the plot isn’t as simple as it first appears. Regeneron has responded by rolling out a high-dose version of Eylea that comes with a more convenient dosing schedule, which makes it far more competitive against Vabysmo. In fact, many patients on the original Eylea have already switched to this newer version. It’s a classic case of how a company can pivot, adapt, and bounce back from what seemed like an existential threat.

Regeneron’s revenue for the second quarter increased by 4% year-over-year, reaching $3.68 billion-a solid performance given the challenges faced by Eylea. But what really sets Regeneron apart is Dupixent, a drug that’s driving the company’s growth. Dupixent is showing strong performance, and it’s poised to continue generating excellent financial results for Regeneron for years to come. It’s already one of the company’s biggest growth drivers and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.

But that’s not all. Regeneron has also earned new approvals in recent years. For instance, Lynozyfic, a cancer drug, received approval earlier this year. There’s also cemdisiran, which shows promise as a treatment for myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. Positive phase 3 results have been reported, and Regeneron is likely to submit regulatory applications for it next year.

And then there’s Regeneron’s burgeoning pipeline, which includes promising candidates in the weight management space-one of the hottest areas in pharmaceuticals at the moment. As Dupixent continues to power the company’s growth, Regeneron’s pipeline is steadily expanding, with more approvals and innovations on the horizon. For investors, it remains a solid pick for long-term growth.

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So, while these two biotechs have faced their share of struggles, they both seem to be on the verge of turning things around. Moderna and Regeneron may very well be worth holding onto for the long haul. They’re in the business of saving lives, and that, it turns out, is a pretty reliable way to generate returns over time. 📈

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2025-09-30 15:18