The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has canceled funding pledged to Moderna for the development of mRNA-based vaccines to combat pandemic flu viruses, including bird flu in humans.
The funding awarded through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) was granted by the Biden administration, initially committing $176 million last summer and an additional $590 million in January.
The big picture: The Trump administration had indicated in February that the funding was under review as part of a broader assessment of spending on mRNA-based vaccines.
- The HHS stated that after a review, it was concluded that continued investment in Moderna’s H5N1 mRNA vaccine was not justifiable scientifically or ethically due to safety concerns.
- Moderna reported positive interim results from an early trial of approximately 300 healthy adults for a vaccine candidate targeting avian flu. The company expressed satisfaction with the immune response and safety profile observed during this trial.