(Bloomberg) -- Moderna Inc. jumped as much as 14% on Thursday on accelerated plans to develop an experimental vaccine for Covid-19.After getting approval from U.S. regulators to proceed on Wednesday, a mid-stage trial is expected to start shortly. The vaccine, mRNA-1273, could be in late-stage study by early summer, Moderna said in a statement. The biotechnology company is preparing for an application for its product to be approved as soon as 2021.The mid-stage study will enroll 600 healthy adults, with a first look at results expected in the third quarter. Moderna Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Bancel said in a statement that the imminent study start for its vaccine marks a “a crucial step forward.”Tal Zaks, Moderna’s chief medical officer, on Wednesday discussed plans for a larger vaccine trial this summer that could have results later in the year showing how effective it is. If the vaccine is successful, high-risk people such...
Lufthansa is negotiating a 9 billion euro ($9.71 billion) bailout with Germany's economic stabilisation fund to ensure its future, the airline said on Thursday, confirming an earlier Reuters report. The "stabilisation package" includes a non-voting capital component, known as a so-called silent participation, a secured loan, and a capital increase which may leave the government with a shareholding of up to 25% plus one share, the company said. "The Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG is continuing negotiations with the aim of ensuring the future viability of the company for the benefit of its customers and employees," the company said in a regulatory statement....
Social game developer Zynga (ZNGA) has posted first quarter bookings of $425 million, easily beating the consensus estimate of $407 million, and guidance of $400 million.“Q1 represented the best first quarter revenue and bookings performance in the company’s history, benefitting from broad-based live services strength throughout the quarter” comments Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter. He reiterated his Zynga buy rating on May 7 with a $9.25 price target (16% upside potential).In particular, Empires & Puzzles and the company’s Social Slots portfolio both experienced record revenue and bookings quarters, with Empires & Puzzles, Merge Magic!, Game of Thrones Slots Casino, and Merge Dragons highlighted as the primary drivers of year-over-year top-line growth.Zynga reported revenue of $403.77M (up 52.1% year-over-year), beating the Street forecast by $13.17M. However Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.11 missed expectations by $0.10.Looking forward, Zynga boosted FY:20 guidance for bookings to $1,800 million from $1,750 million, and for adjusted EBITDA to $360 million from $350 million. This compares to prior consensus...
