In a decisive move to keep its bird flu vaccine program alive, Moderna announced on Thursday that it will receive up to $54.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The infusion of capital is intended to support the company’s ongoing research into a potential mRNA-based vaccine for avian influenza, a project that had lost momentum when the federal government cancelled a large contract earlier this year.
Background on the Bird Flu Vaccine Initiative
Moderna has been working on a candidate vaccine designed to protect against bird flu, a strain that currently has no approved vaccines. The company’s research is part of a broader effort to develop tools that can be rapidly deployed against emerging viral threats. mRNA technology, which Moderna pioneered for its COVID-19 vaccine, is central to this approach.
The Federal Contract and Its Cancellation
In January, the Biden administration announced a $590 million contract with Moderna to develop a vaccine effective against bird flu. The deal represented a significant federal commitment to pandemic preparedness. However, in May the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it was cancelling the contract. The cancellation created uncertainty about the future of Moderna’s bird flu vaccine candidate.
Moderna’s CEO Stéphane Bancel publicly addressed the setback, stating, “We will explore alternative paths forward for the program,” Bancel said. “These clinical data in pandemic influenza underscore the critical role mRNA technology has played as a countermeasure to emerging health threats.”
CEPI’s Investment and Its Significance
CEPI, a public-private partnership of governments and philanthropic groups, is dedicated to developing new vaccines to prevent future epidemics. By investing up to $54.3 million, CEPI is helping Moderna move its bird flu vaccine candidate closer to licensure. The partnership underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing global health risks.
“We are proud to have the support of CEPI to advance our pandemic influenza vaccinecandidate, research that is critical to our commitment to pandemic preparedness. mRNAtechnology can play a vital role in addressing emerging health threats quickly and effectively,and we look forward to continuing our partnership with CEPI as we advance our health securityportfolio, and in parallel, further the 100 Days Mission,” Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel said in a statement.
CEPI CEO Richard Hatchett highlighted the broader impact of the collaboration: “Pandemic influenza remains one of the greatest threats to global health security. With this partnership, we are not just advancing vaccine science, we are fundamentally changing the game.”
The Role of mRNA Technology
Both leaders emphasized the speed and adaptability of mRNA technology. Hatchett added, “By harnessing the speed and adaptability of mRNA technology, we could shave months off the response time, deliver vaccines at scale, and enable equitable access for all. This is how we plan to protect the world from the next flu pandemic.”
The quotes reflect a shared vision that mRNA platforms can dramatically shorten the time between vaccine development and deployment, a critical factor in containing outbreaks.
Key Takeaways
- Moderna will receive up to $54.3 million from CEPI to continue its bird flu vaccine research after a federal contract was cancelled.
- The original $590 million contract announced in January was cancelled by HHS in May, creating uncertainty for the vaccine program.
- CEPI, a public-private partnership, is investing to help Moderna move its candidate toward licensure.
- Both Moderna and CEPI leaders highlighted the importance of mRNA technology in rapidly responding to emerging health threats.
The partnership marks a significant step toward strengthening global pandemic preparedness. By securing additional funding, Moderna can continue to advance its bird flu vaccine candidate, ensuring that the world has a more robust arsenal against potential future influenza outbreaks.
