The U.S. government has awarded Moderna nearly $600 million through BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) to accelerate development of mRNA vaccines against avian influenza and other influenza strains with pandemic potential. This new funding builds upon a $176 million award from 2023 under the same initiative.
Moderna is preparing to launch a Phase 3 trial for mRNA-1018, a vaccine targeting H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses. The company reports “positive preliminary data” from a Phase 1/2 study of mRNA-1018 and plans to present the full findings at an upcoming medical conference.
The HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) stated that this latest funding will enable Moderna to expedite the development of an H5N1 mRNA influenza vaccine closely matched to currently circulating strains in birds and cows. It will also bolster clinical data supporting the use of mRNA vaccines should other pandemic-potential influenza strains emerge. Additionally, Moderna will conduct a Phase 3 trial for a vaccine against H7N9, another avian influenza strain.
The agreement also tasks Moderna with designing up to four new flu vaccine candidates for Phase 1 clinical testing. This initiative aims to generate foundational data that will expedite the development of mRNA vaccines against various influenza subtypes with pandemic potential, according to the HHS.
This funding, provided through BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle Consortium, arrives as Moderna recently lowered its financial projections and announced plans to cut $1 billion in costs due to lower-than-expected sales of its COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.
Outgoing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the unpredictability and danger of past avian flu variants, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s prioritization of this response. He stated that accelerating vaccine development will ensure Americans have the necessary tools to protect themselves.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there have been 67 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the U.S., with one associated death. While the CDC currently assesses the public health risk as low, they continue to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with states to track individuals with animal exposure.
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