US Government Awards $176 Million to Moderna for Developing New Bird Flu Vaccine

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Massachusetts United States of America
BARDA has expanded partnership with CSL Seqirus to complete fill-finish process for these shots
Moderna has begun testing mRNA-1018 in a phase 1/2 clinical trial for avian flu strains H5 and H7
Moderna's mRNA technology offers advantages in efficacy, speed of development, and production scalability compared to traditional vaccine technologies
Outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza strain leads to concerns over potential human transmission
Three cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus in the US in 2024, all linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle
US government awards $176 million to Moderna for developing new bird flu vaccine
US Government Awards $176 Million to Moderna for Developing New Bird Flu Vaccine

A recent outbreak of bird flu, specifically the H5N1 avian influenza strain, has led to concerns over potential human transmission. In response, the US government has awarded Moderna $176 million to fund the development and testing of a new mRNA-based vaccine against this strain.

The funding comes from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services. This is not Moderna's first collaboration with BARDA; they previously received over $1 billion to push their COVID-19 vaccine through trials.

Moderna has already begun testing a candidate vaccine, mRNA-1018, in a phase 1/2 clinical trial for avian flu strains H5 and H7. The results of this study are expected later this year and will inform the design of a Phase 3 trial.

The US has seen three cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus in 2024, all linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle. No reports of human-to-human transmission have been reported in the US.

BARDA has also expanded its partnership with CSL Seqirus to complete the fill-finish process for these shots. This collaboration aims to bolster pandemic response capabilities and ensure a rapid response if needed.

The development of this new vaccine is crucial as concerns over potential human transmission continue to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified H5N1 as a pandemic influenza emergency risk, even though the current risk to human health remains low.

Moderna's mRNA technology offers advantages in efficacy, speed of development, and production scalability compared to traditional vaccine technologies. This makes it an attractive option for addressing infectious disease outbreaks like bird flu.


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Confidence

95%

Doubts
  • Are there any reports of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus in the US?
  • How effective is Moderna's mRNA technology against bird flu compared to traditional vaccine technologies?
  • What is the current risk to human health from H5N1?

Sources

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

U.S. awards Moderna $176 million to produce bird flu vaccine

CNBC News Tuesday, 02 July 2024 12:40
  • Unique Points
    • The US government has awarded $176 million to Moderna for the advance development and testing of its bird flu vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza.
    • ,
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird flu: Moderna inks deal with US government to fund vaccine trial

The Boston Globe Tuesday, 02 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Moderna is collaborating with the US government to fund a late-stage trial of its bird flu vaccine.
    • , Moderna is Massachusetts’ largest homegrown drug maker with over 4,400 employees in the state.
    • , Moderna’s bird flu vaccine uses messenger RNA technology similar to its COVID-19 vaccines.
    • , Three people have been infected with the virus in the US, all dairy workers who likely caught it from diseased cows.
    • , No reports of human-to-human transmission have been reported in the US.
    • , A new strain of bird flu, H5N2, led to the death of a man in Mexico and is not yet considered a serious threat to humans by WHO.
    • , Moderna has seen a decline in sales of its COVID-19 vaccine and has secured regulatory approval for its RSV vaccine.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Bird flu vaccine development funds awarded to Moderna amid multi-state outbreak

USA Today Tuesday, 02 July 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Moderna will receive $176 million in federal funding for developing a human vaccine against bird flu
    • Three human cases of bird flu have been documented in the US in 2024, all had contact with infected dairy cows
    • Over 130 herds across 12 states have seen infected cows as of July
    • Moderna’s candidate for the vaccine uses mRNA technology used successfully during COVID-19 response
  • Accuracy
    • Moderna's candidate for the vaccine uses mRNA technology used successfully during COVID-19 response
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but overall the author's assertions are supported by facts and data. No formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions were identified. The author does not make any false statements or use any logical fallacies in their reporting.
    • ]We have successfully taken lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and used them to better prepare for future public health crises.[/
    • As part of that, we continue to develop new vaccines and other tools to help address influenza and bolster our pandemic response capabilities.[
    • If successfully developed, Moderna’s mRNA-based pandemic flu vaccine could improve response times if a new virus strain emerges.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Moderna receives $176 million from BARDA for mRNA influenza vaccines

STAT News Helen Branswell Tuesday, 02 July 2024 11:30
  • Unique Points
    • Moderna received $176 million from BARDA for the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines
    • Moderna has been working on mRNA-based pandemic vaccines targeting H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses
    • Previous research shows that H5 viruses require two doses for a protective response in people
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

BARDA hands Moderna $176M to push avian flu vaccine through trials

Fierce Biotech Tuesday, 02 July 2024 12:42
  • Unique Points
    • The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Moderna $176 million to fund the clinical development of a potential avian flu vaccine.
    • , The funding is coming from BARDA, a consortium funded by HHS to accelerate medical countermeasures to pandemic threats.
    • ,Moderna is already testing an mRNA vaccine called mRNA-1018 in a phase 1/2 trial for avian flu strains H5 and H7.
    • ,BARDA has previously provided Moderna with over $1 billion to push its COVID-19 vaccine through trials.
    • ,Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel stated that mRNA vaccine technology offers advantages in efficacy, speed of development, and production scalability and reliability in addressing infectious disease outbreaks.
    • ,BARDA has also expanded its avian flu pandemic preparedness partnership with CSL Seqirus to complete the fill-finish process for the shots.
    • ,There have been three cases of H5N1 virus infection in humans in the US this year following exposure to dairy cattle, and one other human case was reported back in 2022 caused by exposure to infected poultry.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication