The U.S. government has allocated nearly $600 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of vaccines targeting avian influenza and other influenza strains with pandemic potential. This funding is part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to advance mRNA vaccine technology.
Since 2023, BARDA has worked with Moderna to address the need for vaccines capable of countering a potential flu pandemic, including threats posed by the avian influenza strain H5N1. As part of this collaboration, Moderna received $176 million in funding last year. The latest investment will expedite the development of an mRNA-based H5N1 vaccine designed to target strains currently circulating in birds and cattle. It will also support a phase 3 trial for a vaccine targeting H7N9, another avian influenza strain of concern.
Moderna is preparing to launch a phase 3 study of mRNA-1018, a vaccine designed to combat H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses. Preliminary results from earlier phase 1/2 trials have been described as “positive,” and the company plans to present these findings at an upcoming medical conference. In addition to advancing these specific vaccines, the HHS expects Moderna to design up to four additional flu vaccines to enter phase 1 trials. These efforts aim to establish a foundation of clinical data that could facilitate the rapid development of mRNA vaccines for various influenza subtypes with pandemic potential.
The funding for these initiatives was secured through BARDA’s Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle Consortium during the final days of the Biden administration. For Moderna, this funding comes at a critical time as the company faces reduced financial projections and announced $1 billion in cost-cutting measures due to lower-than-expected sales of its COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines.
Outgoing HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of proactive measures to address the risks posed by avian influenza. “Avian flu variants have proven to be particularly unpredictable and dangerous to humans in the past,” Becerra said in a statement, adding that accelerating vaccine development has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris administration to ensure public safety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 67 confirmed human cases of avian influenza in the U.S., including one fatality. While the agency assesses the current public health risk as “low,” it continues to monitor the situation closely and collaborates with state authorities to track individuals exposed to infected animals.
By advancing mRNA vaccine research and development, the U.S. government and Moderna aim to bolster preparedness against potential influenza pandemics, ensuring the public has access to effective tools to address evolving viral threats.
