U.S. administrative body seals million-dollar agreement with Moderna for avian influenza vaccine - Authorities in the United States agree on a substantial deal with Moderna for the production of a bird flu vaccine, worth numerous millions of dollars.
The United States has cancelled a $766 million deal with Moderna for the development of a vaccine against the highly contagious H5N1 avian flu virus, despite the company's promising interim results from a clinical trial.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated contracts for the development of vaccines against flu subtypes that could trigger future pandemics, including the H5N1 avian influenza virus. According to reports, the cancellation follows concerns about the safety and testing of mRNA technology, which Moderna's vaccine candidate uses.
Despite the cancellation, Moderna recently announced positive interim data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of mRNA-1018, a vaccine candidate targeting the H5 avian flu virus. The interim results showed a robust immune response and a tolerable safety profile. Moderna remains committed to advancing the H5 program and is exploring alternative pathways for late-stage development and manufacturing.
The decision to cancel the funding follows repeated statements by US Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that have spread misinformation about vaccines. Prominent physician Ashish Jha expressed shock at the US Health Department's funding halt, posting on the online platform X, "The attack on mRNA vaccines is more than absurd."
The H5N1 avian flu virus first emerged in 1996 and has seen an increase in infected bird outbreaks since 2020, along with the number of infected mammals, including dairy cows. Almost all infected birds die from the disease.
The cancellation of funds adds uncertainty to the development timeline, but Moderna's mRNA platform is noted for its potential speed in responding to pandemic threats. However, there are ongoing concerns about mRNA technology's safety and testing, which contributed to the decision by HHS.
Enrichment Data:- The cancellation involves the termination of $766 million in contracts for the development of vaccines against flu subtypes that could trigger future pandemics, including the H5N1 avian influenza virus.- Moderna remains committed to advancing the H5 program and is exploring alternative pathways for late-stage development and manufacturing.- The decision by HHS follows concerns about the safety and testing of mRNA technology, which Moderna's vaccine candidate uses.- In addition to infecting birds, the H5N1 avian flu virus has also resulted in infections in mammals, including dairy cows. Almost all infected birds die from the disease.
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can do this. The cancellation of funding for the development of vaccines against potential pandemic flu strides, like the H5N1 avian flu virus, has raised concerns about the use of mRNA technology, a science that Moderna vaccines are based on. Despite these challenges, Moderna is exploring alternative pathways for the late-stage development and manufacturing of their H5 vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018. This, as medical-conditions related to the safety and testing of mRNA technology continue to be a health-and-wellness concern for health authorities.
