MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

AstraZeneca sells 7,7% interest in Moderna for a billion US dollars

AstraZeneca is retaining partnership with Moderna on other disease treatments and could sell its COVID-19 vaccine on a commercial basis in future if the virus becomes endemic

AstraZeneca Plc has sold its 7.7% stake in Moderna Inc for more than a billion US dollars after the U.S. biotechnology company's shares soared on the back of its coronavirus vaccine breakthrough, The Times reported.

The report added that it was not clear over what period British-based AstraZeneca sold its holding in Moderna. AstraZeneca is retaining partnership with Moderna on other disease treatments and could sell its AstraZeneca/Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine on a commercial basis in future if the virus becomes endemic, the report added.

Moderna, whose vaccine is cleared for emergency use against COVID-19 in the United States, said last week it was expecting sales of US$ 18.4 billion from its coronavirus vaccine this year.