Moderna Receives HHS Grant to Develop a Bird Flu Vaccine

Core Insights - Moderna announced a $176 million federal grant to develop a bird flu vaccine for humans, focusing on the H5 influenza virus which poses a significant risk to both birds and humans [1][2] - The grant is part of the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aimed at accelerating mRNA-based vaccine development [2] - Moderna has initiated a Phase 1/2 trial for the H5 influenza vaccine in 2023, with results expected this year to inform further development plans [3][6] Financial Impact - Following the announcement of the federal grant, Moderna's shares increased by 0.5% to $116.54, marking a 17% rise in share value so far in 2024 [4][7] Public Health Context - The CDC reported four human cases of bird flu since 2022, with the WHO documenting 254 cases globally since January 2023, highlighting the ongoing public health concern [5]