HHS provides $176 million to develop pandemic influenza mRNA-based vaccine
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), will provide approximately $176 million to Moderna for development of an mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccine.
The award was made through BARDA’s new Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium, managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI). The RRPV is a 10-year, multi-purpose acquisition vehicle and consortium partnership designed to support advanced research and development of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
This award aids Moderna in ensuring the establishment of additional pandemic influenza vaccine response capability. These efforts will leverage existing U.S. domestic large-scale commercial mRNA-based manufacturing platforms and ongoing seasonal influenza vaccine development. Additionally, ASPR has secured a fair pricing agreement which will continue ensuring enduring equitable access to vaccines.
Moderna will prepare materials and conduct clinical trials to collect safety and immunogenicity data to support FDA licensure and potential commercial scale-up in response to a future PHE. This award will enable the rapid development of an mRNA vaccine targeted to various influenza virus subtypes, also known as strains, of pandemic potential. The award also includes the option for large-scale production and pandemic response. The work under this award will allow development and manufacturing to pivot quickly, if needed, to address other threats, such as emerging infectious diseases.
