Moderna Accelerates Bird Flu Vaccine Development with $590M US Funding Boost
Moderna secures a $590 million grant from the U.S. government to fast-track its innovative mRNA bird flu vaccine, aiming to combat global avian influenza threats.
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Key Highlights
- Moderna awarded $590 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to accelerate mRNA-based bird flu vaccine development.
- The mRNA-1018 vaccine candidate showed promising Phase 1/2 results in trials initiated in 2023.
- Plans are underway to advance mRNA-1018 into Phase 3 clinical trials.
Moderna's stock surged significantly following the announcement of substantial U.S. government funding aimed at expediting the creation of an effective vaccine targeting avian influenza strains.
The $590 million grant supports the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines, including Moderna’s mRNA-1018 candidate designed to combat H5 and H7 bird flu viruses.
Initiated in 2023, Phase 1/2 clinical trials for mRNA-1018 enrolled healthy adults aged 18 and older, with encouraging preliminary data prompting the launch of Phase 3 studies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that bird flu remains widespread among wild birds worldwide, with outbreaks affecting poultry and dairy cows in the U.S., alongside recent human cases in agricultural workers. Although current public health risks are low, ongoing surveillance is critical.
Egg Prices Climb Amid Bird Flu Outbreak, Says Cal-Maine Foods
Cal-Maine Foods, the leading U.S. egg producer, recently reported rising egg prices driven by production constraints linked to the ongoing bird flu epidemic.
Despite today’s stock gains, Moderna shares are still down nearly 65% over the past year, impacted by declining COVID-19 vaccine sales.
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