Moderna Secures U.S. Government Grant for Avian Influenza Vaccine Development

The U.S. government has awarded Moderna USD 590 mn to advance its mRNA-based avian influenza vaccine, mRNA-1018, into late-stage clinical trials amid rising human H5N1 infections. The funding also supports clinical studies for up to five additional pandemic influenza subtypes.

Moderna plans to present preliminary data at an upcoming medical meeting and, despite recent reductions in manufacturing capacity due to decreased COVID-19 vaccine demand, asserts readiness to scale up production if necessary.

Moderna announced ongoing support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines. The award was made through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium with funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).

The project will provide additional support for late-stage development and licensure of pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccines. The agreement will also support the expansion of clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza.

In 2023, Moderna initiated a Phase 1/2 study to generate safety and immunogenicity data of an investigational pandemic influenza vaccine (mRNA-1018) in healthy adults aged 18 years and older. The study included vaccine candidates against H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses. Based on the positive preliminary data from the Phase 1/2 study, Moderna is preparing to advance mRNA-1018 into Phase 3. The Company looks forward to sharing the Phase 1/2 results at an upcoming scientific meeting.

This $590 million award has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR); Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under Other Transaction Number: 75A50123D00005.

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