FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine as company reports positive Phase 3 cancer vaccine results

The FDA has granted approval to Moderna’s mRNA‑based flu vaccine, marking a notable rebound for the technology after the Trump administration cut $500 million in funding for mRNA programs a year earlier.

Weeks later, Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized mRNA cancer vaccine achieved positive results in a Phase 3 trial, offering new hope for targeted oncology treatments.

Jeff Coller, a professor of RNA Biology and Therapeutics at Johns Hopkins, said the twin successes underscore the promise of mRNA and reinvigorate the field.

The approvals come after a difficult period for mRNA developers, including the termination of BARDA contracts and NIH guidance that discouraged mentioning mRNA in grant applications.