Moderna, after losing US funding, rebounds to start mRNA bird flu vaccine trial

Kristin Jensen / healthcaredive - A program that got caught up in HHS’ decision to abandon mRNA research was revived by a public-private coalition and is now beginning a large, late-stage test that could support a future approval.

AI Summary: Moderna has initiated a clinical trial of an mRNA vaccine targeting a potentially pandemic bird‑flu strain, joining global efforts to have a rapid‑response countermeasure ready. Regulators and public‑health experts hail the move as sensible pre‑emptive science—because nothing says “we planned for this” like testing the vaccine before the outbreak arrives.