Moderna and Johnson and Johnson disclosed radically different price points for their lead vaccine candidates this week.
According to Moderna, its mRNA coronavirus vaccine candidate could cost some customers $32-37 per dose, if the order is for a smaller volume. Moderna is currently in talks with several countries about supply deals and said it has received $400 million in up-front deposit payments. But for higher volume customers, the company said it will price the vaccine lower.
Moderna launched a 30,000 participant late-stage trial of its vaccine this month, making it one of the world’s leading candidates.
Johnson & Johnson, meanwhile, just reached a $1 billion supply agreement with the U.S. government for 100 million doses priced at about $10 per dose. J&J said it is still unclear if patients will need one or two doses of its vaccine. Under the agreement, the U.S. government has the option to purchase another 200 million doses for an undisclosed amount.
J&J’s vaccine candidate is still in early stage trials.
The U.S. government has also struck a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase their vaccine for $19.50 per dose.