Dr. David Berman to Join Moderna as Chief Development Officer
Rhea-AI Summary
Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA) named David Berman, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer effective March 2, 2026. He will join the Executive Committee and report to CEO Stéphane Bancel. Dr. Jacqueline Miller will step down as Chief Medical Officer and remain as a consultant to help the transition.
Berman brings two decades of development experience in immunotherapy and oncology, including leadership roles at Immunocore, AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and led approvals including a first T cell receptor therapeutic. The company notes a pipeline with three approved vaccines and three programs in Phase 3 or filed for approval.
Positive
- Adds leader with approved T-cell receptor therapeutic experience
- Strengthens oncology and infectious-disease development expertise
- Maintains transition continuity via Jackie Miller consulting role
- Highlights pipeline: three approved vaccines
Negative
- C-suite turnover: Chief Medical Officer stepping down
- Transition risk during handover starting March 2, 2026
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Pre-news, MRNA was up 3.44% while tracked peers showed mixed, mostly modest moves and only one momentum peer (CORT) was down sharply, indicating this leadership news is likely stock-specific rather than part of a broad biotech move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -1.5% | Set timing for Q4 2025 results and a corporate update webcast. |
| Jan 20 | Clinical data update | Positive | +2.8% | Five-year Phase 2b melanoma data showing 49% reduced recurrence or death. |
| Jan 12 | Business & pipeline update | Neutral | -1.3% | Outlined 2025 revenue, expense outlook, cash and key 2026 catalysts. |
| Jan 5 | Regulatory submissions | Positive | +4.2% | Global filings for mRNA-1010 flu vaccine based on positive Phase 3 data. |
| Dec 18 | Trial funding | Positive | +1.4% | CEPI funding up to $54.3M for a pivotal Phase 3 H5 flu vaccine trial. |
Recent news-driven moves have generally aligned with the tone of the announcements, with positive clinical and regulatory updates tending to coincide with positive price reactions.
Over the past few months, Moderna has highlighted several key milestones. A Jan 5 filing for global regulatory submissions for its mRNA-1010 flu vaccine and a CEPI-funded H5 pandemic flu Phase 3 trial on Dec 18 both drew positive reactions. Strong five-year melanoma data with Merck on Jan 20 also coincided with gains. Business and pipeline updates at the J.P. Morgan conference and the recent earnings date announcement saw modest declines. Today’s executive leadership change slots into an active period of clinical and regulatory progress.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a senior leadership transition, bringing an experienced oncology and immunotherapy developer to oversee Moderna’s pipeline. The company already cites three approved vaccines and three more in Phase 3 or filed, alongside an active early-stage portfolio. Recent history shows multiple clinical and regulatory milestones across infectious disease and oncology. Investors following this theme may focus on how the new Chief Development Officer allocates resources, advances late-stage assets, and integrates with ongoing collaboration and trial programs.
Key Terms
mRNA medical
immuno-oncology medical
checkpoint inhibitor medical
monoclonal antibodies medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS / ACCESS Newswire / January 30, 2026 / Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) today announced that David Berman, M.D., Ph.D. has been appointed as the Company's Chief Development Officer, beginning March 2, 2026. He will serve on Moderna's Executive Committee and report to Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Bancel. Dr. Jacqueline Miller will step down as Chief Medical Officer and member of the Executive Committee effective the same date and will remain as a consultant to the Company to assist with the transition.
"David's leadership experience in oncology and infectious disease will be critical as we continue to invest and drive innovation across Moderna's pipeline," said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. "I look forward to welcoming David to Moderna's Executive Committee as Chief Development Officer and partnering with him to advance our portfolio of mRNA medicines. At the same time, I am deeply grateful for Jackie's leadership and significant contributions over the past five and a half years. She has built a strong foundation and team in infectious disease vaccines at Moderna. The team will continue to drive toward a bright future with three approved vaccines, three more in Phase 3 or filed for approval, and an exciting early pipeline. I wish Jackie all the best in her next chapter."
Over a two-decade career, Dr. Berman has worked on more than a dozen clinical-stage immunotherapies, including senior leadership roles in developing four oncology biologics. He most recently served as EVP and Head of Research and Development at Immunocore, where he led the development and approval of the first T cell receptor therapeutic. Prior to Immunocore, Dr. Berman served as SVP and Head of AstraZeneca's Immuno-oncology (IO) franchise, responsible for strategy and execution of a broad IO portfolio. Dr. Berman has also held senior development roles at Bristol-Myers Squibb, including Global Clinical Lead for the first approved IO checkpoint inhibitor and one of the first monoclonal antibodies for multiple myeloma, and served as the head of their early-stage IO portfolio.
"I am honored to take on the role of Chief Development Officer at Moderna, a company at the forefront of transformative medical innovation," said Dr. Berman. "The strength of Moderna's mRNA platform and its diverse pipeline position the Company to address some of the most challenging diseases of our time. I look forward to working with the exceptional teams across Moderna to advance our efforts to develop new treatments for cancer, rare and infectious diseases by harnessing the power of the immune system."
Dr. Berman received his M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. He trained in pathology at the National Cancer Institute, followed by a fellowship at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.
About Moderna
Moderna is a pioneer and leader in the field of mRNA medicine. Through the advancement of its technology platform, Moderna is reimagining how medicines are made to transform how we treat and prevent diseases. Since its founding, Moderna's mRNA platform has enabled the development of vaccines and therapeutics across infectious diseases, cancer, rare diseases and more.
With a global team and a unique culture, driven by the company's values and mindsets, Moderna's mission is to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. For more information about Moderna, please visit modernatx.com and connect with us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding: Moderna's product candidates in Phase 3 trials or filed for approval; the potential of Moderna's platform and pipeline; and Moderna's efforts to develop new treatments for cancer, rare and infectious diseases. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "may," "should," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Moderna's control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, those risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Moderna's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in subsequent filings made by Moderna with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, Moderna disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Moderna's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release.
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Moderna Contacts
Media:
Chris Ridley
Head, Global Media Relations
+1 617-800-3651
Chris.Ridley@modernatx.com
Investors:
Lavina Talukdar
Senior Vice President & Head of Investor Relations
+1 617-209-5834
Lavina.Talukdar@modernatx.com
SOURCE: Moderna, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
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