Pfizer Inc. (PFE) shares jumped after new clinical trial data suggested the pharmaceutical giant might have a winner on its hands with its mRNA flu vaccine technology.

What the Study Found: A Phase 3 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that Pfizer's quadrivalent mRNA influenza vaccine outperformed standard flu shots. The company funded the research, which randomly assigned healthy adults between 18 and 64 years old across the United States, South Africa, and the Philippines to receive either Pfizer's experimental mRNA vaccine or a licensed inactivated quadrivalent flu vaccine.

The mRNA vaccine demonstrated statistically superior efficacy, generating stronger immune responses against both A/H3N2 and A/H1N1 influenza strains. There's a catch, though: the mRNA shot was associated with more reactogenicity events, which is medical speak for those unpleasant symptoms people sometimes feel after getting vaccinated.

Market Reaction: PFE shares traded up 3.95% to $25.37 following the news.