AstraZeneca's 40 Planned mRNA Drugs Never Materialized From 2013 Moderna Deal
Updated
Updated · STAT · Jun 29
AstraZeneca's 40 Planned mRNA Drugs Never Materialized From 2013 Moderna Deal
1 articles · Updated · STAT · Jun 29
Summary
Up to 40 mRNA medicines AstraZeneca envisioned in its 2013 partnership with Moderna for cancer and cardiovascular disease were never developed.
The deal still proved pivotal for Moderna, helping the then-small startup secure billions in funding and accelerate its rise in biotech.
Kenneth Chien, a Moderna co-founder who helped land the AstraZeneca alliance, was given an Hermes belt by CEO Stephane Bancel after the agreement.
The abandoned drug slate underscores how a partnership that helped enable Moderna's later Covid vaccine success failed to produce AstraZeneca's original pipeline ambitions.
Why did AstraZeneca’s billion-dollar bet on mRNA fail while catapulting Moderna to global success?
After a 'paradigm shift' in melanoma, how will personalized mRNA vaccines transform the fight against other deadly cancers?
With 'mRNA 2.0' on the horizon, what key breakthroughs are needed to treat heart and kidney disease?
The Unfulfilled Pipeline: Why 40 mRNA Drugs from AstraZeneca and Moderna Never Reached Patients (2026 Analysis)
Overview
In 2013, Moderna and AstraZeneca formed a high-profile partnership to develop up to 40 mRNA-based drugs for cancer and cardiovascular disease, accelerating Moderna’s growth and attracting major investment. Despite identifying promising candidates like AZD8601 and launching efforts in oncology and rare diseases, the collaboration ultimately failed to deliver any approved medicines by 2026. This outcome was shaped by scientific hurdles such as mRNA’s instability and delivery challenges, as well as shifting priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, which redirected focus to vaccines. Nevertheless, the partnership advanced mRNA technology and left both companies well-positioned for future innovation.