对抗新冠病毒的疫苗研发，传出佳音。美国生技药厂莫德纳(Moderna)18日公布第一阶段人体实验结果，身体健康的志愿者接受疫苗注射之后，体内产生了抗体。

莫德纳表示，期盼接下来的研究顺利进行，最早在今秋就能让疫苗可以出炉，做为紧急之用。

值得注意的是，莫德纳的第一阶段人体实验规模较小，接下来还需要后续阶段的更多研究。

总部位于麻州莫德纳指出，第一阶段人体实验的重点在于确认疫苗安全无虞。至于这款疫苗是否可以让民众注射之后，可以完全免于遭到新冠病毒感染，也就是具备绝对的预防效果，则有待更多研究。

新冠病毒全球大流行之后，世界各国科学家、医学专家彷彿在疫苗研发领域展开赛跑。以过去疫苗研发过程来看，从开始研究到最后核准上市，通常耗时数年，但川普政府日前表示，疫苗可望在今年底之内问世。

疫苗竞赛

面对美国的连番指责，中国外交部发言人曾表示，中国在新冠疫苗研究和治疗方法方面“走在世界前列”，没有证据的诬陷造谣“是不道德的”。

那么，这场由疫情引发的疫苗“军备竞赛”，美国和中国究竟处于什么样的水平？

据世界卫生组织网站数据，目前全球有超过120个正在研发的新冠病毒疫苗项目，已经进入临床试验的共有8个。其中，来自中国的项目4个，美国2个。此外，还有一个来自英国牛津大学的项目和一个跨国合作的项目。

这些项目采用了不同的研发路径，包括核酸疫苗（DNA和RNA）、病毒载体疫苗和灭活疫苗等。

目前，它们中的大部分项目都获得了一二期合并的临床试验许可。由中国公司康希诺生物（CanSino Biologics）与中国军事医学研究院合作的疫苗已在4月进入二期临床试验阶段。

在美国，马萨诸塞州的生物公司摩德纳（Moderna）已在上周获得美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）的批准，进入二期临床试验阶段。

在治疗药物方面，被外界给予厚望的“神药”瑞德西韦（Remdesivir）已获得美国当局授权，在治疗新冠重症患者时得以紧急使用，该药物也在日本获批并交付医院使用。

Dow Jones Today, Stocks Rally As Coronavirus Data Slows, Moderna Soars On Vaccine News; Boeing Gets A Saudi Boost

Stocks soared out of the starting gate Monday, as positive coronavirus metrics and comments from Fed Chairman Powell charged investor confidence in the U.S. and Europe. Biotech Moderna spiked on encouraging vaccine news, while REITS CareTrust, Medical Properties and Highwood staked out early leads on the IBD 50 list. Meanwhile, Boeing (BA) traded high on the Dow Jones today, on news of a half-billion dollar investment from Saudi Arabia.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average punched 2.9% higher, while the S&P 500 rolled up a 2.5% gain on the stock market today. The Nasdaq, missing the early boost from energy stocks, was gradually catching up, rising 1.9% by around 10:15 AM ET. Cruise lines, oil companies and airlines all packed the top of the S&P 500.

On the Nasdaq 100, United Airlines Holdings (UAL) and Marriott International (MAR) each soared more than 10%. Marriott was on a list of more than a half dozen companies in which Saudi Arabia’s $300 billion Public Investment Fund said it had amassed stakes of more than $500 million.

IBD Leaderboard stock Nvidia (NVDA) jumped 4.8%. Tesla (TSLA) scrambled ahead3.6%, as potential for a fourth manufacturing site — in Austin, Texas — stirred the most recent debate over the volatile stock.

REITS were the early leaders among IBD 50 stocks. CareTrust REIT (CTRE) scaled up 8.4%. Highwoods Properties (HIW) jetted 6.5% higher in opening trade. 

Gear up for the week’s market action by reading IBD’s Investing Action Plan.

Coronavirus Stocks: Moderna Vaccine, Co-Diagnostics Target

Moderna (MRNA) swept more than 22% higher in early action. The Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech reported positive results in a phase 1 clinical trial of its Covid-19 vaccine. Moderna shares finished Friday up 85% from a mid-April breakout, and have advanced 45% so far in April.

Fellow biotech Co-Diagnostics (CODX) rustled up an 8.8% gain. H.C. Wainwright held its buy rating on the stock and boosted its price target to 35%, from 20. The stock was trading just below 19 on Monday.

Dow Jones Today: Boeing, UnitedHealth, Microsoft Rising

Chemicals makers DowDOW bolted 10% higher, Walt Disney stock swept up 8.6% to lead the Dow Jones today.

Boeing jumped 6.5%, also helping to boost the Dow, after being named among a handful of U.S. stocks in which Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund had amassed stakes of more than $500 million. Dow Jones peers Walt Disney (DIS) and Cisco Systems (CSCO) were also on the list. Others included Marriott, Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Facebook (FB), Citigroup (C) and Bank of America (BAC).

Two Dow Jones names are currently on IBD’s Leaderboard list. UnitedHealth Group (UNH) gained 2.2% in premarket trade. The managed care provider ended Friday’s session less than 5% from a 304.10 buy point in a cup-with-handle base.