Moderna Awarded $176 Million for mRNA Development Against Pandemic Influenza

Moderna has been granted $176 million by the US government to develop mRNA technology targeted at combating a pandemic influenza, specifically the highly pathogenic bird flu virus H5N1. The funding, facilitated through BARDA as part of a new Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle consortium, aims to foster collaborations between industries to enhance the country's readiness for pandemics and medical countermeasure development. Moderna has initiated a phase one-two trial for a pandemic influenza virus vaccine and anticipates the results to inform a Phase 3 trial set to commence in 2025. The collaboration with BARDA underscores the effectiveness of mRNA vaccine technology for addressing infectious disease outbreaks.