US Grants Moderna US$176 Million for Bird Flu Vaccine

The United States government has allocated US$176 million to Moderna for developing an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine following an H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle and infections among workers. This funding highlights the urgency of preparing for potential human transmission and showcases the government's proactive approach to leveraging mRNA technology for rapid vaccine development to protect public health and mitigate pandemic risks.

Scientists are increasingly concerned about a potential bird flu pandemic, citing gaps in surveillance that could delay an effective response. Scott Hensley, Microbiology Professor, University of Pennsylvania, described the situation as a “pandemic unfolding in slow motion.” While the current threat remains low, Hensley cautioned that this could change rapidly. Therefore, effective early warning systems are crucial, reports MBN. 

Consequently, the United States government has granted Moderna US$176 million to advance the development of its bird flu vaccine The funds, provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), will support late-stage development and testing of a pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza, the company announced on Tuesday.

"mRNA vaccine technology offers advantages in efficacy, speed of development, and production scalability and reliability in addressing infectious disease outbreaks, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna. "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with BARDA to expedite our development efforts for mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines and support the global public health community in preparedness against potential outbreaks,” she added. 

Late-stage testing is expected to begin in 2025. The trial will focus on safety and immune response. The contract includes options to accelerate development if human cases increase, become more severe, or if human-to-human transmission occurs.

In March, the first H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle was reported in the US, infecting over 130 herds across 12 states and three dairy workers. In April, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the first human death from the H5N2 bird flu strain in Mexico. The outbreak has raised concerns about the virus potentially spreading among humans, leading to a pandemic.

The US Department of Health and Human Services is also negotiating with Pfizer for an mRNA vaccine against H5N1, reports Reuters. Traditional flu vaccines using cell or egg-based technology take four to six months to manufacture. The US government has also announced the availability of 4.8 million doses of a conventional flu vaccine from CSL Seqirus, which may be used for farm workers and others at risk.