The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is providing approximately $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines. This funding, part of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority’s (BARDA) Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium, aims to bolster pandemic preparedness by leveraging flexible platforms.
The award will support the development of an H5N1 mRNA influenza vaccine and enhance mRNA platform capabilities for other emerging infectious diseases. This move allows Moderna to accelerate the development of a vaccine that matches circulating strains in cows and birds, expanding clinical data on mRNA vaccines that may be needed for future pandemics.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the importance of this response, stating that accelerating vaccine development is crucial for staying ahead of potential pandemics. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell highlighted the commitment to strengthening pandemic preparedness through innovative technologies like mRNA vaccines.
Moderna will design and test an H7N9 mRNA pandemic influenza vaccine in a phase 3 clinical study, with the potential to become the first licensed for this strain. The company will also develop up to four additional novel pandemic influenza vaccines, testing preliminary safety and immunogenicity in phase 1 studies.
Source: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2025/01/17/hhs-provides-590-million-accelerate-pandemic-influenza-mrna-based-vaccine-development-enhance-platform-capability-other-emerging-infectious-disease.html