‘I worry deeply about bioterrorism’: Is Europe sufficiently prepared for another pandemic?
Moderna’s Pandemic Triumph and Market Shifts
I worry deeply about bioterrorism – Moderna’s role during the pandemic may feel like a distant memory now, but their impact remains significant. The U.S.-based biotech firm, known for its mRNA vaccine Spikevax, became a key player in the global response to the coronavirus outbreak. Introduced to Europe less than a year after lockdowns began, the vaccine showcased the company’s ability to rapidly scale production and deliver life-saving treatments. However, the company’s recent trajectory has shifted, with its valuation declining over the past five years following a surge in share prices linked to the pandemic. Despite this, Moderna’s CEO, Stéphane Bancel, remains optimistic about a potential resurgence in their fortunes, citing encouraging results in 2026.
CEO’s Concerns Over Bioterrorism and Pandemic Risks
Stéphane Bancel, a European national, expressed deep concerns about the vulnerability of his homeland to future health crises. In an interview with Euronews Business, he emphasized the risks posed by both natural and man-made pandemics. “We believe there is always a risk of a major pandemic, whether it originates from nature or is engineered,” he stated. “If such an event were to occur, we would be able to respond more swiftly than in 2020, thanks to our expanded manufacturing infrastructure.”
“So we believe that there’s always a risk of a big pandemic and it could be either from nature or it could be man-made,” Stéphane told The Big Question. “If something big were to happen like a pandemic we will be able to go even faster than we went in 2020 because now we have a manufacturing infrastructure. There’s a big factory in America, we have also factories in Canada, in the UK, in Australia, so the world is much better already, Moderna is much better already.”
His remarks highlight Moderna’s strategic positioning, with facilities across multiple continents. Yet, Bancel pointed out a critical gap in Europe’s own capabilities. “On continental Europe, there is no mRNA manufacturing capacity,” he warned. This observation underscores a growing worry: while the company is equipped to respond to global health emergencies, Europe might lack the necessary infrastructure to handle them independently.
BioNTech’s Move and European Manufacturing Gap
Europe’s reliance on external production chains is not unique to Moderna. German biotech giant BioNTech, which collaborated with Pfizer on the Comirnaty vaccine, recently announced the closure of its manufacturing sites in Germany. By the end of 2026, all production of the vaccine will be handled by its American partner. “If you look at it today, continental Europe has no mRNA manufacturing capacity,” Stéphane reiterated, drawing attention to the continent’s dependence on overseas facilities. This situation raises questions about Europe’s preparedness for crises that could disrupt global supply chains, such as bioterrorism or a sudden outbreak of a novel virus.
Bancel stressed the importance of establishing local manufacturing bases to ensure resilience. “We’re working with the European Union and several governments to create partnerships similar to those in Canada, the UK, and Australia,” he explained. “We think it’s crucial for Europe to have mRNA production on its soil.” The goal is not only to bolster the continent’s medical readiness but also to strengthen economic ties and reduce the risk of disruptions.
Expanding Therapeutic Applications
While Moderna continues to focus on pandemic preparedness, the company is also diversifying its research into other therapeutic areas. Recent developments include a new treatment for Lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder that impairs DNA repair and increases cancer risk. Stéphane highlighted how this innovation could help prevent cancer progression in affected individuals. “We’re returning to our pre-pandemic strategy,” he said. “We have four infectious disease vaccines approved by European regulators, and more in phase three trials expected to yield results this year.”
“We’re going on our pre-pandemic strategy… we have now four infectious disease vaccines approved by the European regulators, we have more in phase three that should get data this year in 2026, and we have a lot of products like the Lynch syndrome products. So we are diversifying the portfolio, we are going back into sales growth this year, I mean with COVID we always expected our sales to drop a lot after the pandemic, […] but then the whole portfolio and with the strength of the (mRNA) platform to allow to grow the sales again – that’s what we’re doing this year.”
This shift reflects Moderna’s broader vision for mRNA technology, which they believe can address a range of health challenges beyond infectious diseases. From cancer treatments to rare genetic conditions, the company aims to leverage its platform to create a more resilient and diversified product line. “The strength of our mRNA platform allows us to expand into new markets,” Bancel noted, emphasizing the potential for long-term growth and innovation.
The Big Question Series
The interview with Stéphane Bancel was part of Euronews Business’s The Big Question series, which features discussions with industry leaders on pressing global issues. The series provides a platform to explore how companies and experts are shaping the future of business and healthcare. In this episode, the conversation centered on Moderna’s role in pandemic response and its plans to reinforce Europe’s medical preparedness. “The world is much better already, Moderna is much better already,” Bancel concluded, underscoring the progress made but also the ongoing need for collaboration and investment.
As the pandemic era recedes, the lessons learned from the crisis continue to influence strategies in the biotech sector. Moderna’s journey—from rapid vaccine development to addressing a range of health challenges—illustrates the importance of adaptability. For Stéphane Bancel, the stakes are high: ensuring Europe is not only prepared for the next health emergency but also capable of leading the global response. “You could have something really bad happen in Europe and there is no industrial base to go and fight it,” he cautioned, highlighting the urgency of building a sustainable mRNA manufacturing ecosystem across the continent.
With new initiatives and partnerships, Moderna aims to solidify Europe’s position as a key player in the fight against pandemics. Whether through bioterrorism threats or naturally occurring outbreaks, the company’s work underscores the critical need for local production and international collaboration. As the world watches the evolution of mRNA technology, the conversation around pandemic preparedness continues to evolve, driven by the efforts of firms like Moderna and the insights of leaders like Stéphane Bancel.
