by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D., Childrens Health Defense:
The U.S. government is closing in on an agreement to fund a late-stage trial of Moderna’s mRNA bird flu vaccine, the Financial Times reported Thursday, as public health officials and media outlets sound the alarm about outbreaks on poultry and cattle farms across the country.
The U.S. government is closing in on an agreement to fund a late-stage trial of Moderna’s mRNA bird flu vaccine, the Financial Times reported Thursday, as public health officials and media outlets sound the alarm about outbreaks on poultry and cattle farms across the country.
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The funding, which would be funneled through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, is expected to total tens of millions of dollars. It could begin as early as next month, Financial Times reported, citing people close to the discussion.
The deal might include a government commitment to purchase vaccine doses for the H5N1 bird flu if the Phase 3 trials are successful.
The government is also in talks with Pfizer about possibly supporting its development of an mRNA vaccine targeting the H5 family of bird flu viruses, according to Financial Times.
The outlet noted the opportunity to contribute to the U.S. pandemic stockpile could be a financial boon to the two mRNA vaccine makers, whose market valuations fell precipitously as demand for COVID-19 vaccines waned.
Moderna’s share price is up nearly 37% since the start of April, it said.
Moderna reportedly finished dosing for its mid-stage trial for the vaccine and Pfizer launched a phase-one trial for a pandemic flu vaccine last December.
Pfizer said in a statement on Wednesday that it “would be prepared to deploy the company’s capabilities to develop a vaccine for strategic stockpiles.”
Meanwhile, in a statement to The Defender, Moderna said it “can confirm we are in discussions with the U.S. Government on advancing our pandemic flu candidate, mRNA-1018.”
The company added:
“The Phase 1/2 dosing of mRNA-1018 is complete, with data expected soon. The H5 vaccines in this trial cover the same clade as the currently circulating variant in the United States. We remain committed to using our mRNA platform to respond to public health concerns.”
The company declined to provide further comment.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which houses BARDA, and Pfizer did not immediately respond to The Defender’s request for comment on the funding.
Applications for BARDA funding for an mRNA pandemic flu vaccine closed in December.
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