Moderna receives US$590M for pandemic influenza vaccine development

USA—Moderna, a leading American pharmaceutical company, has secured a US$590 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

This funding aims to accelerate the development of mRNA-based vaccines for pandemic influenza, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to prepare for future infectious disease outbreaks.

The financial support comes through the HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), both of which are part of the broader Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium.

The primary goal of this funding is to expedite the late-stage development and eventual licensing of Moderna’s pre-pandemic vaccines, which will enhance the nation’s ability to respond quickly to future health crises.

With this substantial investment, Moderna will expand its clinical trials to include up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza, enabling a broader response to potential strains of the virus.

One of the key areas of focus for Moderna is the development of an mRNA vaccine for the H5N1 influenza strain, which affects birds and cattle.

In 2023, the company began a Phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the immune response and safety of its pandemic influenza vaccine, mRNA-1018, in adults.

This vaccine specifically targets the H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses, and early results from the trial have shown promising outcomes.

Following these encouraging findings, Moderna is now preparing to advance to Phase III of the trial.

Furthermore, Moderna plans to initiate a Phase III clinical study for an H7N9 mRNA influenza vaccine, which could potentially become the first licensed vaccine for this particular strain if successful.

This ongoing collaboration between Moderna and BARDA, which began in 2023, is part of a larger effort to develop mRNA vaccines that can be deployed in the event of a public health emergency, particularly those caused by influenza viruses such as the avian influenza A(H5N1) strain.

Moderna plans to design up to four new pandemic influenza vaccines and conduct Phase I trials for each.

Additionally, in November 2024, Moderna received approval from Health Canada for its mRNA vaccine, mRESVIA, which targets respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent lower respiratory tract disease in individuals aged 60 and older.

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