U.S. Boosts Bird Flu Vaccine Development with $590 Million for Moderna

Moderna Receives $590 Million to Advance Bird Flu Vaccine Development

The U.S. government has awarded Moderna $590 million to accelerate the development of its bird flu vaccine, demonstrating a commitment to tackling the rising number of human infections. This funding builds upon the $176 million awarded last year to complete the late-stage development and testing of a pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccine against the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The new funding will also support the expansion of clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza, according to Moderna's announcement on Friday. The company is currently testing its experimental shot, mRNA-1018, against several strains of the virus, including the currently circulating H5N1 variant.

Based on promising preliminary data from an early-to-mid stage study, Moderna plans to advance mRNA-1018 into late-stage trials. The company intends to present the data at an upcoming medical meeting.

The funding was awarded through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle consortium with support from the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Since April, nearly 70 people in the U.S., primarily farm workers, have contracted bird flu due to the virus's circulation among poultry flocks and dairy herds. While most human infections have been mild, one fatality was reported in Louisiana last week.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that the risk to the general public from bird flu remains low, and there is no evidence of person-to-person spread.