HHS Cancels mRNA Vaccine Projects Worth About $500 Million

The Department of Health and Human Services is winding down 22 mRNA vaccine development efforts under BARDA, saying the vaccines are ineffective against respiratory infections like Covid-19 and influenza.

• Affects 22 projects worth nearly $500 million, including:
  • Canceled Moderna/UTMB contract for mRNA-based H5N1 vaccine
  • Terminated contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech
  • De-scoped mRNA work in contracts with Luminary Labs, ModeX, Seqirus
  • Rejected or canceled multiple pre-award mRNA solicitations, including proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, CSL Seqirus, Gritstone, and others
  • Restructured DoD-JPEO collaborations with AstraZeneca, HDT Bio, AAHI
• Some final-stage mRNA projects, like with Arcturus, Amplitude, to proceed

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