The sudden resignation of FDA vaccine regulator Peter Marks has sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry, particularly among Moderna and Novavax shareholders. Marks’ departure comes as part of a sweeping overhaul of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Shares in Moderna plummeted over 12% and Novavax fell about 7% after Marks announced his resignation, citing concerns over vaccine safety and transparency. The regulator’s departure is seen as a significant blow to the approval process for vaccines and other treatments, such as gene therapies.
Kennedy’s leadership style, marked by skepticism towards vaccines, has already raised eyebrows among industry stakeholders. Marks had previously expressed frustration with Kennedy’s spread of misinformation about vaccines, which he cited as one of the reasons for his resignation.
The HHS overhaul is expected to impact vaccine makers, who will face increased regulatory uncertainty and potential headwinds in the approval process. Experts warn that continued efforts by the Trump administration to divest from vaccine funding and spread misinformation could further erode trust between industry stakeholders and government agencies.
As vaccine developers navigate this new landscape, analysts point to the importance of maintaining open communication with government officials and ensuring that scientific evidence is at the forefront of decision-making processes. The future of vaccine approval and development hangs in the balance, and the pharmaceutical industry will be watching closely for any developments in this area.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/03/31/moderna-novavax-stock-price-fda-resignation-rfk-jr-vaccine