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Bird Flu Vaccine Funding Cuts: Critical Error

Bird Flue Vaccine Funding

By Michael Bronfman for Metis, June 30, 2025

H5N1 Bird flu vaccines

We at Metis are very concerned about a dangerous misstep by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) when it recently terminated a $700 million contract with a major pharmaceutical company for their H5N1 mRNA vaccine. Michael Bronfman writes why this is a disturbing trend in the following post. His article contends that bird flu poses a significant, non-theoretical threat with a high mortality rate and increasing human spillover and that current vaccines are outdated. Bronfman champions mRNA technology for its speed and adaptability in vaccine development, directly countering the current administration's skepticism and warning that the funding cut will lead to preparedness gaps, economic fallout, and a loss of public trust due to misinformation. He also tells us why we urgently need to restore funding, enhance surveillance, expand stockpiles, combat misinformation, and implement "One Health" strategies to prevent a potentially catastrophic H5N1 pandemic.

At the end of May 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the termination of a roughly $700 million contract with Moderna, aimed at developing an mRNA vaccine for H5N1 bird flu. See: statnews.com+9usnews.com+9english.almayadeen.net+9economictimes.indiatimes.com+12vpm.org+12wprl.org+12.

This decision—from Health Secretary RFK Jr., a noted vaccine skeptic—marks a stark departure from past pandemic preparedness strategies. But why is this move so far-reaching—and so dangerous?

1. Bird Flu Isn't a Theoretical Threat

If H5N1 evolves into a transmissible strain, its impact could eclipse that of
COVID-19.

2. Vaccine Research Is Our First Line of Defense

A. Existing Vaccines Are Outdated

Three U.S.-licensed H5N1 vaccines (2007–2020) are available but target older strains and are held for stockpiling—not mass distribution. See: benzinga.com+14asm.org+14hms.harvard.edu+14. As Harvard experts warn, these old vaccines "do not match the current strains" and require urgent updating. See: hms.harvard.edu.

B. mRNA Offers Speed and Flexibility

C. Real-Time Preclinical Success

New vaccines—both traditional recombinant protein-based and mRNA—have demonstrated full protection in animal models, including mice, ferrets, and cattle. See:  pci.upenn.edu+1time.com+1.

Bottom line: mRNA is not theoretical—it's a demonstrated, powerful tool for pandemic preparedness.

3. Why Cutting the Funding Is Risky

A. Science Vs. Skepticism

Secretary Kennedy cited "safety concerns with mRNA vaccines," stating the Moderna H5N1 shots were "under‑tested". See dvm360.com+15pulmonologyadvisor.com+15arstechnica.com+15. Yet, Moderna's clinical data showed strong immune responses and good tolerability. See: time.com+2pulmonologyadvisor.com+2axios.com+2. Public health experts warn that this move prioritizes vaccine skepticism over solid science. See: reuters.com+2washingtonpost.com+2english.almayadeen.net+2

B. Preparedness Gaps

If H5N1 mutates and spreads easily, the U.S. could find itself without a viable, scalable vaccine. Traditional egg-based production is hampered by the virus's impact on poultry, and updating older vaccines could take months. See: washingtonpost.com+1statnews.com+1. The mRNA approach was designed to bridge that gap.

C. Economic and Social Fallout

Historical models, like the 1957 and 1918 flu, show pandemics impose massive economic costs—healthcare strain, GDP shrinkage up to 5 %, and millions of lost work days unmc.edu. A novel H5N1 pandemic could dwarf the 2020 financial collapse. Cutting vaccine funding is effectively playing with fire.

4. The Wildcard: Misinformation and Public Trust

A. Anti-Vaxx Influence

Secretary Kennedy, known for anti-vaccine stances, has:

Scaling back bird flu vaccine research undermines trust at a delicate moment for public health. It adds to the public's overall skepticism.

B. Implications for Public Confidence

When trusted authorities reduce financial investment in vaccines because of vague "integrity concerns," it fuels suspicion. This can cascade into lower uptake of other essential vaccines (influenza, measles, COVID-19 boosters), increasing vulnerability to both seasonal and pandemic respiratory diseases.

5. Why We Must Continue This Research

A. Vaccines = Prevention

Even if H5N1 doesn't become easily transmissible, vaccines play critical roles by:

  1. Protecting high-risk workers (poultry, livestock, lab personnel) with targeted early vaccination. See: asm.org.

  2. Curbing outbreaks in animals, thus reducing animal-to-human spillover through a "One Health" approach.

  3. Building public preparedness, offering science-based assurance before panic sets in.

B. Economic and Global Leadership

Delaying or stopping vaccine development risks:

  • Loss of global influence in response efforts,

  • Supply chain bottlenecks,

  • U.S. reliance on slower foreign-made vaccines.

Weaker preparedness invites more severe outbreaks and greater economic disruption.

C. Technical Innovation

Ongoing mRNA research against H5N1 improves:

  • Safety profiling,

  • Dose optimization,

  • Broad-spectrum vaccine development.

This translates into future readiness—not just for influenza but for unknown zoonotic threats.

6. The Road Ahead: Recommendations

Recommendation Rationale

Restore and protect funding Back Moderna's Phase 3 and other mRNA H5N1 trials—the world can only catch viruses early with swift vaccine deployment.

Scale genomic surveillance Track mutations across birds, mammals, and humans for early warning signs thesun.iethescottishsun.co.uk+5en.wikipedia.org+5asm.org+5thesun.ie+2asm.org+2time.com+2hms.harvard.edu

Expand stockpiles Update existing protein-based vaccines and purchase doses from CSL Seqirus, GSK, and others.

Combat misinformation Reinforce CDC advisory boards and science-based health communication to rebuild public trust.

Implement One Health strategies Combine farm biosecurity, animal vaccination, and human surveillance to halt cross-species spread.

7. Delay and Mixed Signals: Prevention Requires Commitment

These funding cust signal that vaccine readiness is considered optional. In public health, we don't get mulligans. The stakes are too high; scientifically and economically. The world has seen the devastating precedent of COVID-19; letting bird flu simmer unchecked is an even greater gamble.

If we delay now, we may be rewriting the script of the next global catastrophe. Investing in bird flu vaccines—especially with agile mRNA platforms—is not just wise. It's essential.

If you would like to discuss how this affects your organization and what we can do collectively, please get in touch with Metis Consulting Services.

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Background of the Breakthroughs of mRNA

By Michael Bronfman, June 23, 2025

Dr. Katalin Kariko, Nobel Prize winning scientist, mRNA vaccine pioneer

This week, The Guard Rail is diving into a topic that has truly revolutionized modern medicine: Messenger RNA, or mRNA. What was once merely a fascinating concept in biology has rapidly become a groundbreaking platform, and its incredible success in the COVID-19 vaccine development is just the beginning. Join us as we explore the captivating scientific journey of mRNA, highlighting the decades of innovation in molecular biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology that led to its triumph. We will also spotlight the key innovators who made it all possible, with a special nod to the remarkable influence of Dr. Katalin Karikó and Dr. Drew Weissman and peek into the exciting future promise of mRNA-based therapeutics.


The Arrival of a New Therapeutic Frontier

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has rapidly transitioned from a biological curiosity to a revolutionary platform in medicine. Its recent triumph—vaccine success against COVID-19—stemmed from decades of incremental yet transformative molecular biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology breakthroughs.


1. From Molecular Discovery to Therapeutic Aspiration

  • 1961 – mRNA Identified

Scientists first recognized mRNA as the key intermediary transmitting genetic information from DNA to ribosomes. This discovery laid the molecular foundation for engineering mRNA for therapeutic use.

  • 1990 – Synthetic mRNA Demonstrated

Jon A. Wolff and colleagues injected synthetic mRNA into mouse muscle, successfully producing proteins in vivo—an early hint at mRNA's therapeutic potential. See: time.com+3penntoday.upenn.edu+3science.org+3en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4.

Despite the promise, these pioneering experiments raised fundamental obstacles: mRNA's inherent fragility, strong immunogenicity, and inefficient cellular delivery.

2. Cracking the Code: Reducing Immunogenicity via Nucleoside Modification

  • 1997–1998 – The Penn Collaboration Begins
    At the University of Pennsylvania, biochemist Katalin Karikó and immunologist Drew Weissman formed a partnership driven by a shared interest in harnessing mRNA. See: nature.com+15bu.edu+15teenvogue.com+15.

  • 2005 – Seminal Discovery

    They revealed that unmodified synthetic mRNA activates Toll‑like receptors in dendritic cells, triggering inflammation. Crucially, swapping out uridine with pseudouridine (or other modified nucleosides) dramatically suppressed this response, mitigating immunogenicity and enhancing protein translation. See: jbiomedsci.biomedcentral.com+15nobelprize.org+15jci.org+15.


These findings marked a watershed—chemical modification of mRNA transformed it into a viable therapeutic candidate, earning the duo the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. See: en.wikipedia.org+3time.com+3nobelprize.org+3

3. Packaging Success: Lipid Nanoparticles Enable Delivery

  • Development of mRNA-LNP Systems

    Research in the late 2000s and 2010s refined LNP formulations tailored to shield mRNA from degradation, enable cellular entry, and facilitate efficient endosomal escape. See: mdpi.compubs.rsc.org.

Notable innovations include ionizable lipids, helper lipids, cholesterol, and PEGylated lipids, collectively optimizing pharmacokinetics, stability, and safety. See: mdpi.com.

  • Clinical Translation

    This chemistry and engineering synergy culminated in the approval and deployment of the first lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4. Pre-Pandemic Explorations

Even before 2020, mRNA therapeutics were under active development:

  • Cancer Vaccines: Preclinical and early clinical trials featured mRNA encoding tumor-specific antigens delivered via LNPs to prime anti‑tumor immunity.

  • Infectious Disease Vaccines: mRNA vaccines targeting rabies, Zika, influenza, and HIV entered early human trials, demonstrating both feasibility and promise. See: arxiv.org+3teenvogue.com+3wired.com+3.

  • Protein Replacement and Gene Editing: Applications using LNP-delivered mRNA for protein replacement therapies and CRISPR editing emerged in preclinical stages. See: mdpi.com+2pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2pubs.rsc.org+2.

  • Pioneering Companies: Moderna (founded 2010) and BioNTech (2008) both built platforms centered on Karikó/Weissman technology and LNPs. BioNTech later partnered with Pfizer to develop its COVID-19 vaccine regimen.

5. The COVID‑19 Catalyst & Rapid Deployment

When SARS-CoV‑2 emerged in early 2020, the platform's modular nature and advanced formulations enabled unprecedented speed:

  • Clinical Trials: Moderna began human trials in March 2020. By December, both mRNA‑1273 (Moderna) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer‑BioNTech) secured Emergency Use Authorization based on ~95% efficacy. See: nature.com.

This success validated decades of incremental innovation: nucleoside-modified mRNA + optimized LNPs = real-world impact.

6. Recognition: The Nobel and Beyond

The scientific community honored Karikó and Weissman's pivotal contributions:

7. Beyond Vaccination: Broadening the mRNA Horizon

The mRNA platform's adaptability has ignited diverse research avenues:

  • Cancer Therapies: Personalized mRNA vaccines targeting neoantigens, mRNA‑encoded cytokines, and CAR-T therapies are progressing in clinical evaluation.

  • Gene Editing & Protein Replacement: mRNA-driven CRISPR approaches for in vivo editing, and LNP-encoded enzyme replacement therapies (e.g., for genetic disorders) are expanding mdpi.com+1jbiomedsci.biomedcentral.com+1.

  • Autoimmunity & Regenerative Medicine: Early-stage efforts are exploring mRNA-induced immune tolerance and tissue regeneration applications.


8. Continued Innovation & Challenges

Despite remarkable success, key areas require continued innovation:

  • Delivery Precision: Next-gen LNPs (e.g., organ-selective or SORT nanoparticles) aim to enable tissue-specific targeting beyond the liver en.wikipedia.org+1arxiv.org+1.

  • Stability & Design Optimization: Advanced methods like codon optimization and structure-prediction algorithms (e.g., LinearDesign) enhance mRNA stability and translational efficiency arxiv.org.

  • Manufacturing Scale & Supply: Scaling up mRNA and LNP production, maintaining cold chain logistics, and ensuring global access remain formidable obstacles wired.com+1mdpi.com+1.

  • Safety & Regulation: Comprehensive long-term safety monitoring—especially with novel ionizable lipids and repeated dosing—is critical pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

  • Cost & Accessibility: Ensuring equitable pricing and widespread distribution, especially to low- and middle-income countries, remains essential.

9. Timeline of Key Milestones

Year Breakthrough

1961 Discovery of mRNA

1990 Synthetic mRNA expression in mice

1997–98 Karikó & Weissman collaboration begins

2005 Pseudouridine‑modified mRNA suppresses immune activation

2018 FDA approves LNP‑siRNA therapy Onpattro

2020 First mRNA COVID‑19 vaccine trials and rollout

2023 Nobel Prize for Karikó & Weissman

10. In Conclusion: A Platform Reborn

The mRNA story is a testament to scientific persistence, collaboration, and cumulative innovation. From a molecular curiosity to a global vaccine solution, the ascent of mRNA illustrates how challenges—fragility, immunogenicity, delivery—were methodically overcome with modified nucleosides and precision lipid carriers.

The result? A modular, adaptable therapeutic platform poised to revolutionize vaccines, cancer therapy, gene editing, and more. Let this narrative serve both as a chronicle of what has been achieved and a roadmap for what's next in the pharma world.

Your Organization and bench-to-bedside Drug Development with Metis Consulting Services

The groundbreaking advancements in mRNA technology demonstrate the power of specialized expertise and meticulous scientific guidance in navigating complex drug development landscapes. Just as decades of dedicated research led to the mRNA revolution, your next therapeutic breakthrough requires seasoned insight and strategic direction.

Don't leave your innovative drug development projects to chance. Let Metis Consulting Services help to leverage unparalleled expertise in navigating the intricate pathways of pharmaceutical research and development. We provide comprehensive guidance, from early-stage discovery to clinical translation, ensuring your projects are optimized for success.

Contact Metis Consulting Services today to unlock the full potential of your drug development pipeline and turn scientific aspirations into real-world impact.

Be sure to check out our podcast, Queens of Quality for more informative and interesting conversations about this and more bio/pharma hot topics.

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The Resurgence of Measles: A Wake-Up Call for Global Public Health and Pharma

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, global measles cases increased by over 40% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with over 500,000 confirmed infections and at least 70,000 reported deaths—the highest since 2019. 

By Michael Bronfman, May 26, 2025

Author assisted by AI

Resurgence of Measles

Metis Consulting Services is continuing our series on unmet medical needs. This week we are looking at what happens when progress and even disease eradication is derailed. For example, let’s look at Measles 

 

Once thought to be on the brink of eradication, measles is making an alarming comeback across the globe. A disease that was largely under control thanks to widespread immunization is now resurging—causing renewed strain on healthcare systems, hospitalizations, and deaths. As cases spike in both developing and developed nations, we are facing a crucial moment: how to respond to a preventable crisis amid growing vaccine hesitancy, logistical gaps, and global inequity. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie: Measles on the Rise 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, global measles cases increased by over 40% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with over 500,000 confirmed infections and at least 70,000 reported deaths—the highest since 2019. 

 

In Europe and the U.S., localized outbreaks are being fueled by declining vaccine coverage in specific communities. In lower-income countries, fragile health systems and vaccine shortages have contributed to the unchecked spread of the virus. 

 What is Measles? 

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus (MeV). It spreads via respiratory droplets and has an R₀ (basic reproduction number) between 12–18, making it one of the most infectious human diseases known. 

 

Symptoms 

  • High fever 

  • Cough and runny nose 

  • Conjunctivitis (red eyes) 

  • Koplik spots (small white lesions inside the mouth) 

  • Widespread red rash 

 

Complications 

  • Pneumonia 

  • Encephalitis 

  • Blindness 

  • Death (particularly in children under 5) 

 

Measles is preventable with two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)—which provides 97% efficacy after full immunization. 

 Vaccine Hesitancy and Misinformation 

A Major Barrier to Elimination 

 

Despite the availability of safe, effective vaccines, public trust in immunization has eroded in many regions. This is due to: 

  • Religious or cultural beliefs 

  • Distrust in pharmaceutical companies or governments 

  • Online misinformation campaigns 

  • Political polarization of health policies 

 

In high-income countries, social media-fueled disinformation has been particularly damaging. A 2024 Pew Research survey found that 23% of U.S. adults believe vaccines “may do more harm than good”—a staggering figure with real-world consequences. 

 

Meanwhile, in low-income countries, vaccine hesitancy is often compounded by lack of access, poor infrastructure, and conflict. 

 Uneven Vaccine Coverage: A Global Equity Issue 

The WHO recommends at least 95% immunization coverage with two doses to achieve herd immunity. However, as of 2024: 

  • Global first-dose coverage: 83% 

  • Global second-dose coverage: 74% 

  • Some African and Southeast Asian countries report rates below 50% 

 

This disparity is not just a logistical issue—it reflects deep-rooted inequalities in funding, infrastructure, and international collaboration. 

 

Key Factors 

  • Pandemic-related disruption to childhood vaccination programs 

  • Health worker shortages 

  • Displacement due to war or climate change 

  • Underinvestment in national immunization programs 

 Pharma’s Role: From Manufacturer to Advocate 

 The pharmaceutical industry is uniquely positioned to help stem the tide of measles, and it must go beyond manufacturing vaccines. It must become a vocal proactive partner in public health. 

 

1.  

Scaling Production 

 

Companies like Merck & Co., a major MMR vaccine manufacturer, have ramped up production in response to global shortages. However, production must be matched with fair distribution and nonprofit pricing models in low-resource settings. 

 

2.  

Innovating Delivery 

 

New technologies are in development, including: 

  • Needle-free vaccine patches (e.g., microarray patches) 

  • Thermostable vaccines that don’t require cold chain 

  • Single-dose formulations to improve compliance 

 

These could prove game-changing in remote or conflict-affected areas. 

 

3.  

Fighting Misinformation 

 

Pharma companies must take an active role in: 

  • Funding public education campaigns 

  • Collaborating with NGOs to train community health workers 

  • Partnering with tech platforms to flag and correct false content 

 

Silence in the face of misinformation is not an option. 

 Public-Private Partnerships: A Model for the Future 

The fight against measles must be a collaborative effort. Initiatives like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and COVAX have shown that public-private cooperation can improve access to vaccines. The pharmaceutical industry should: 

  • Offer tiered pricing for vaccines based on country income levels 

  • Support capacity-building in low-income countries (e.g., local vaccine production) 

  • Commit to transparency in pricing and supply contracts 

 

Only by building trust and long-term investment in health systems can we prevent future resurgences. 

 The Case for R&D: Addressing Future Needs 

While the MMR vaccine is effective, measles eradication may ultimately require: 

  • More heat-stable vaccines 

  • Combination vaccines that reduce the number of injections 

  • Improved serological diagnostics to identify immunity gaps 

  • AI-powered outbreak prediction tools 

 

Pharma R&D should be oriented not just toward profit but toward global resilience. 

 The Cost of Inaction 

Letting measles regain a foothold is more than a medical failure—it’s a policy and systems failure. The economic costs are enormous: 

  • Parents miss work to care for sick children 

  • Outbreak response drains public health budgets 

  • Hospitalizations strain already burdened health systems 

  • Long-term disabilities impact productivity 

 

Measles also weakens the immune system for months, increasing susceptibility to other infections. It’s not just a “childhood illness”—it’s a public health threat multiplier. 

 A Path Forward  

The measles resurgence is a warning sign, and it’s also an opportunity. If we act now, we can reverse the trend and prevent future outbreaks. Here’s what needs to happen: 

 

Governments Must: 

  • Counteract misinformation through trusted messengers 

  • Increase funding for immunization programs 

  • Mandate school-entry vaccination 

 

Pharma Must: 

  • Actively advocate for vaccines as a public good 

  • Support delivery innovation 

  • Scale vaccine production and reduce prices 

 

Communities Must: 

  • Educate each other with empathy, not fear 

  • Support immunization drives 

  • Demand transparency and accountability 

 Conclusion: The Time to Act Is Now 

 

The rise in measles cases should not surprise us—it is the predictable outcome of misinformation, declining vaccination rates, and global inequality. And it doesn’t have to be our future. 

 

As stakeholders in health, the pharmaceutical industry must lead with ethics, innovation, and compassion. The tools exist. The science is sound. What’s needed now is collective will—before another generation faces the consequences of our inaction. 

 

Is your organization prepared to respond to the global measles resurgence? Contact Metis Consulting Services to learn how pharma partners can accelerate access, education, and innovation. 

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