Moderna to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine with $176M BARDA Award

Moderna announced on Tuesday that it has received $176 million from the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle, a consortium supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This funding aims to accelerate the development of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine to combat avian flu.

The funds are designated to aid in the late-stage development and licensing of a pre-pandemic vaccine for H5N1 influenza. H5N1 is a highly contagious disease in birds that has also been transmitted to humans. The agreement with BARDA includes provisions to prepare and speed up responses to future public health threats.

In 2023, Moderna began developing a vaccine candidate known as mRNA-1018. This candidate is currently undergoing a Phase I/II study in adults aged 18 and older, focusing on the H5 and H7 variants of avian flu. Results from this trial are anticipated later this year.

Moderna and BARDA have previously collaborated, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, Moderna received a $483 million contract to assist in advancing its mRNA vaccine. “mRNA vaccine technology has shown significant benefits in terms of efficacy, speed of development, and scalability, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel. He added that the company is pleased to continue its partnership with BARDA to expedite the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines and to support global public health preparedness.

In April 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an individual in the U.S. had tested positive for the H5N1 variant after exposure to infected dairy cattle in Texas. Despite this, the exposure did not elevate the risk to humans, and the CDC considers the overall threat to be low. Nonetheless, individuals who have close or extended exposure to infected birds or animals are at higher risk. Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that signs of H5 avian flu were detected in three separate wastewater sites in the Bay Area.

In May 2024, BARDA selected CSL Seqirus to handle the fill-and-finish process for a pre-pandemic vaccine as part of the National Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Stockpile (NPIVS) program. This initiative aims to increase the availability of vaccines for a pre-pandemic response. CSL Seqirus is expected to deliver approximately 4.8 million doses of its vaccine, specifically matched to the H5 strain.

Moderna's ongoing collaboration with BARDA highlights the potential of mRNA technology to address various infectious diseases swiftly. With the new funding, Moderna hopes to make significant strides in the fight against avian flu, ensuring better preparedness for future public health emergencies. The continued development and testing of the mRNA-1018 vaccine candidate could potentially offer a robust solution to combat the H5N1 influenza and safeguard public health on a global scale.

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