Moderna launches Phase 3 trial of mRNA bird flu vaccine after US funding cut

Moderna has begun enrolling participants in a Phase 3 trial of its mRNA-1018 vaccine targeting H5 influenza (bird flu). The trial aims to include about 4,000 healthy adults in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The study will assess safety and the ability of the vaccine to generate an immune response. The vaccine uses the messenger RNA platform that was previously employed for COVID-19 vaccines.

The program was previously affected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decision to halt funding for certain mRNA research, resulting in a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars. A public‑private coalition has revived the effort, allowing the trial to proceed.

Moderna hopes the data could support future regulatory approval and provide a preventive tool against a potential human outbreak of bird flu.