Moderna is curbing investments in late‑stage vaccine trials following backlash in the U.S., according to reporting that cited the company’s CEO. The move reflects mounting political and public scrutiny of vaccine development programs and may shift Moderna’s R&D priorities toward other modalities and indications. The pullback could slow progress on certain infectious‑disease vaccine candidates that had been advancing toward Phase III, altering timelines for pipeline assets and potential partnerships. It also highlights how political and public opinion can affect biopharma strategic planning and the selection of investment priorities for platform companies.