HHS ends mRNA vaccine development program under BARDA

HHS Announces Changes to mRNA Vaccine Development

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has unveiled plans to regulate the development of mRNA vaccines, particularly through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency (BARDA).

This initiative involves the cancellation and scaling back of various contracts and solicitations. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of investments related to mRNA that were made during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We reviewed science, listened to experts and acted,” remarked Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS secretary.

“The adjustments will impact the program’s scope, including:

Ending contracts with Emory University and Tiva Biotechnology.
Modifications to mRNA-related work in ongoing agreements with Luminary Labs, Model, and Seqirus.
Cancellation of several pre-prize solicitations from companies like Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, and others as part of BARDA’s rapid response partnership vehicle.
Restructuring collaborations with DoD-JPEO affecting nucleic acid-based vaccine projects with AAHI, Astrazeneca, HDT Bio, and Moderna/UTMB,” the statement noted.

Some ongoing contracts, such as those with Arcturus or Amplitude, will continue in order to safeguard previous taxpayer investments. However, the initiation of new mRNA-based projects has been halted.

Additionally, HHS has instructed the Global Health Investment Corporation (GHIC), which oversees BARDA Ventures, to suspend all mRNA-related equity investments. This will affect 22 projects valued at nearly $500 million. Still, the announcement clarified that it “does not affect other mRNA-related efforts within the department.”

“Let me be absolutely clear. HHS supports safe and effective vaccines for all Americans who want them. So we’re investing in better solutions beyond the limits of mRNA,” Secretary Kennedy added.

Looking ahead, BARDA aims to prioritize platforms that have well-established safety profiles and strong, transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices. Techniques that were initially adopted during emergency responses but no longer meet current scientific or regulatory standards will be systematically eliminated.

Instead, BARDA is advocating for an evidence-based, ethically sound approach, which includes all-virus vaccines and innovative next-generation platforms.