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US grants almost $600 million to Moderna to “accelerate” bird flu vaccine trials

January 22, 2025 by usatoday24

The United States government has allocated a significant investment of almost $600 million to the biopharmaceutical company Moderna to accelerate the development of vaccines based on messenger RNA (mRNA) against avian flu, with special emphasis on flu strains that could become a pandemic threat. This financial support is part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ongoing efforts to anticipate and mitigate the risk of future public health crises, such as those caused by highly contagious and dangerous influenza viruses. Since 2023, Moderna has been working closely with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an HHS entity, to develop mRNA vaccines. that can be used in the event that new strains of influenza emerge with the potential to become pandemics. This effort includes not only the research and development of vaccines against the H5N1 strain of bird flu, but also against other variants that could represent a danger to global health. In 2023, Moderna had already received $176 million as part of this initiative, and with the recent allocation of funds, the company will be able to accelerate its work and move more quickly toward creating an effective vaccine. One of Moderna’s key advances in this project is its mRNA-1018 vaccine, which is designed to combat the H5 and H7 bird flu viruses. This vaccine has demonstrated “positive preliminary data” in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, leading to optimism about its effectiveness in combating these dangerous strains. With additional funding provided by the US government, Moderna is in the preparation phase of launching a Phase 3 study of this vaccine, a crucial step towards its possible distribution in the event of a massive outbreak of bird flu. Face future threats The company intends to share findings from these trials at an upcoming medical conference, which could offer more insight into the vaccine’s potential to address future viral threats. The recent HHS funding will also allow Moderna to accelerate research and development of a vaccine against the H7N9 strain of bird flu, another variant that has concerned health authorities due to its ability to infect humans. Public health officials have noted that the speed with which new flu strains emerge and spread necessitates an innovative and flexible approach to vaccine development. In this regard, the US government’s financial support is designed to expand Moderna’s clinical trials, enabling the evaluation of multiple vaccines and increasing the database supporting the use of mRNA technology in these contexts. In addition to ongoing work with the H5N1 and H7N9 strains, HHS has expressed interest in having Moderna design up to four new vaccines against different flu strains that can be evaluated in Phase 1 studies. The goal of this initiative is to generate clinical data that supports the accelerated development of mRNA vaccines, that would be essential to contain future outbreaks of avian flu or any other influenza strain with pandemic potential. As flu viruses continue to mutate, the ability to quickly adapt to new variants will be key to preventing a global pandemic. Keep reading:

First death from bird flu confirmed in the United States

January 9, 2025 by usatoday24

Bird flu claimed its first life in the United States, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The victim, a Louisiana resident over the age of 65 with pre-existing medical problems, He contracted the virus after coming into contact with sick birds in a home chicken coop. Genetic analyzes of the virus suggest that it mutated within the patient, probably aggravating his illness. This case is part of the 66 infections confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in the country since last March, although the previous symptoms were mild and occurred mainly in agricultural workers exposed to infected birds. Bird flu: A historically lethal virus The H5N1 bird flu virus is not new on the health radar. Since 2003, it has caused more than 460 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, highlighted the seriousness of the virus and called the death a “tragic reminder” of its lethality. In a recent case, a Canadian teenager became seriously ill after contracting H5N1, reinforcing uncertainty about the factors that cause severe illness in some patients and mild illness in others. Nuzzo warned that the current mild cases do not guarantee the same trend in the future. We can contract the bird flu virus if we are in contact with birds infected with it. (Photo: CDC/NIAID/AP) Despite the death, the CDC emphasized that There is no evidence of significant mutations that increase the risk of transmission between humans. Additionally, authorities have found no signs that the virus is spreading from person to person. However, 2 recent cases in Missouri and California, whose source of infection remains unclear, maintain active surveillance. H5N1 continues to spread widely among wild birds, poultry, and other animals, increasing the likelihood of human exposure. The case in Louisiana marks the first infection in the US associated with a domestic farm, according to the CDC. Given this panorama, the authorities reiterate the importance of following protective measures. Those handling sick or dead birds should wear protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and masks. These precautions not only reduce the risk of infection, but also help slow the spread of the virus. Although the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission remains low, there is a need for constant surveillance. The virus has proven to be a persistent and lethal threat, and its growing presence in the environment requires a coordinated response between health authorities and the public. Keep reading: * Agriculture Department Orders Federal Bird Flu Testing of Milk* Four Colorado poultry workers diagnosed with bird flu* Bird flu exposed: 5 keys to understanding its global reach

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