The US government has awarded Moderna a $590 million grant to advance the development of its bird flu vaccine. This is in addition to a $176 million award made last year to complete the late-stage development and testing of an mRNA-based vaccine against the H5N1 avian influenza.
The funding will also support the expansion of clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza, Moderna said. The company is preparing to advance its experimental shot, mRNA-1018, into late-stage trials based on preliminary data from an early-to-mid stage study.
The move comes as bird flu infections in humans have increased, with nearly 70 people contracting the virus since April. Most cases have been mild, but one fatality was reported in Louisiana last week. The risk to the general public from bird flu is low, and there has been no evidence of person-to-person spread.
The US government’s efforts to tackle increasing bird flu infections are aimed at staying ahead of potential outbreaks. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said that accelerating vaccine development will allow Americans to have the tools they need to stay safe.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-awards-moderna-590-million-bird-flu-vaccine-development-2025-01-17