Moderna MRNA

Moderna, the biotech darling of the COVID-19 era, was founded in 2010 by a motley crew of scientists and entrepreneurs including Derrick Rossi and Noubar Afeyan. Known for its pioneering mRNA technology, the company rocketed to global fame when it produced one of the first effective COVID-19 vaccines, a defining moment that catapulted it from obscurity to a household name. With a current valuation hovering around $70 billion, Moderna transformed from a scrappy startup to a biotech behemoth almost overnight. Accomplishments include receiving emergency use authorization for its vaccine and raking in billions in revenue. But it's not all Nobel Prizes and ticker tape parades; the company has faced controversies over its vaccine's side effects and accusations of prioritizing profit over equitable vaccine distribution. CEO Stéphane Bancel has become a fixture in the media, steering the company through turbulent waters with a blend of French charm and corporate ruthlessness. Love them or hate them, Moderna's impact on the biotech landscape is undeniable, proving that in the high-stakes world of drug development, fortune favors the bold, the innovative, and occasionally, the controversial.