Moderna CMO Jacqueline Miller to Exit March 2, New CDO David Berman Appointed
Moderna said CMO Jacqueline Miller, who led development of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax, will step down on March 2, 2026. On the same date, the company will appoint David Berman, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer to advance its pipeline programs.
1. Moderna Outlines Growth Strategy and Breakeven Path
Moderna has shifted its focus from pandemic-era vaccine sales to a diversified pipeline and cost discipline, targeting a return to profitability by 2028. Management highlighted three late-stage programs driving future growth: an mRNA COVID/flu combination vaccine expected to enter Phase III trials by mid-2026, the intismeran personalized cancer vaccine program now enrolling its first cohort in a urothelial carcinoma study, and an RSV vaccine projected to file for approval in the second half of 2027. To support this pipeline, Moderna plans to reduce operating expenses by 15% over the next two years through streamlined manufacturing processes and headcount optimization. The company reiterated its commitment to allocating R&D spend toward these core programs while scaling down lower-priority research initiatives.
2. Chief Medical Officer Jacqueline Miller to Step Down
Jacqueline Miller, Moderna’s Chief Medical Officer who led the development and regulatory approval of its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax, will leave the company effective March 2, 2026. Miller oversaw clinical strategy for over 20 vaccine and therapeutic candidates, guiding Spikevax through a global Phase II/III trial involving more than 30,000 participants. The departure follows a three-year tenure in which she managed collaborations with public health agencies and spearheaded post-market safety monitoring. Moderna’s CEO expressed gratitude for her contributions and confirmed an internal leadership transition plan for the medical affairs organization.
3. Appointment of David Berman as Chief Development Officer
Moderna has named David Berman, M.D., Ph.D., as Chief Development Officer, effective March 2, 2026. Berman joins from a leading biotech firm where he directed late-stage oncology trials and led the clinical development of two FDA-approved therapies generating combined annual revenues exceeding $600 million. In his new role, Berman will oversee global clinical operations, regulatory affairs and biostatistics for all of Moderna’s programs. The company expects his expertise in oncology and regulatory strategy to accelerate the intismeran cancer vaccine program and support submissions for the RSV candidate by late 2027.