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Moderna Announces Initiation of Phase 3 Study of Investigational mRNA Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Candidate
Phase 3 study is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to help strengthen global preparedness against a significant pandemic threat
About this update from Moderna, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Phase 3 study is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to help strengthen global preparedness against a significant pandemic threat CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2026 / Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) today announced that the first participants in the U.S. and UK have been dosed in a Phase 3 study of the Company's investigational mRNA-based H5 pandemic influenza vaccine candidate, mRNA-1018. In December 2025, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and Moderna announced that CEPI will invest up to $54.3 million to help advance mRNA-1018 to licensure.\"H5 influenza, or bird flu, remains a pandemic threat. The start of our Phase 3 trial for an H5 influenza vaccine marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen global pandemic preparedness,\" said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. \"Our platform technology's efficiency and scalability are critical to supporting global health security and responding to potential future threats.\"\"The first-of-its-kind pivotal trial of an mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccine underscores the potential of this technology to reshape how we confront emerging pathogens,\" said Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI. \"If successful, these efforts could transform our ability to respond swiftly and equitably to one of the world's most enduring threats.\"The Phase 3 study will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1018 in healthy adults ages 18 years and older and is expected to enroll approximately 4,000 adults in the U.S. and UK. If successful, global regulatory submissions for mRNA-1018 will be further supported by positive data from the pivotal Phase 3 trial of Moderna's investigational seasonal influenza vaccine, mRNA-1010, which has been accepted for review in the U.S., the European Union, Canada and Australia.\"Although the current risk to the human population of avian influenza remains low, the virus continues to evolve and spread in birds and various animal hosts in the UK and elsewhere,\" said Dr. Richard Pebody, Director of Epidemic and Emerging Infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). \"UKHSA remains alert to the potential that this pathogen could adapt to spread from person to person, and will continue to monitor all available data. This important initiative to trial a new mRNA pandem...