---
title: "Why AbbVie is a Buy As Moderna Slips"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/290618182.md"
description: "AbbVie agreed to acquire Apogee Biotech for $135.11 per share in an all-cash deal, strengthening its drug pipeline with Zumilokibart. Following the announcement, AbbVie's stock rose 6.25% while Apogee surged 46.66%. Meanwhile, Moderna slipped over 7% despite a recent FDA advisory panel recommending approval for its mRNA seasonal flu vaccine for adults aged 50-75, reversing a previous refusal."
datetime: "2026-06-23T23:30:40.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/290618182.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290618182.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/290618182.md)
---

# Why AbbVie is a Buy As Moderna Slips

The pharmaceutical sector is ripe with opportunities after merger and acquisition activities continued on Monday. On Monday, AbbVie (ABBV) said it would buy Apogee (APGE) for $135.11 per share. It is paying all cash.

ABBV stock jumped by 6.25%, while APGE stock gained 46.66%. The deal strengthens AbbVie’s drug pipeline. It will add Apogee’s lead asset, Zumilokibart. This is a monoclonal antibody that targets IL-13. Treatments for APG777 include atopic dermatitis, Asthma, and eosinophilic Esophagitis. In the former two diseases, this drug could compete effectively against Regeneron’s (REGN) Dupixent.

AbbVie’s peers include Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer (PFE), J&J (JNJ), Merck (MRK), and Amgen (AGN). Among them, BMY and PFE shares offer good value.

In the vaccine space, Moderna (MRNA) slipped by over 7% yesterday. The breakout from the mid $45-$50 range is at risk of losing momentum. Before the drop on Monday, MRNA stock gained for six straight sessions.

On June 18, the FDA advisory panel agreed that the mRNA seasonal flu vaccine (mRNA-1010) outweighed risks for subjects who were 50 – 75 years old. This is a welcome reversal from February’s FDA decision. Back then, the FDA issued Moderna a refusal-to-file letter. It cited a lack of an adequate and well-controlled trial. Still, the agency reversed that decision in late February.

### Related Stocks

- [APGE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/APGE.US.md)
- [ABBV.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/ABBV.US.md)
- [MRNA.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MRNA.US.md)
- [MRNX.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MRNX.US.md)
- [MRNY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MRNY.US.md)
- [REGN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/REGN.US.md)
- [BMY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/BMY.US.md)
- [PFE.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/PFE.US.md)
- [JNJ.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/JNJ.US.md)
- [MRK.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MRK.US.md)
- [AMGN.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/AMGN.US.md)
- [CELG.RT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CELG.RT.US.md)

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- [This Stock Has Already Doubled This Year and Is Still Racing Towards a Major Catalyst](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290916339.md)
- [Moderna advances in vivo CAR-T candidate mRNA-6007 into early development for autoimmune diseases](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290822266.md)
- [Moderna spotlights expanding mRNA pipeline at Science Day event](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290819631.md)
- [Moderna Maintained at Hold as Analyst Weighs Leading mRNA Platform Against Early-Stage Pipeline Risks](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290970667.md)
- [Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine passes FDA AdCom, review underway](https://longbridge.com/en/news/290435765.md)