HHS Announces $211 Million in Funding for Enhancing mRNA Platform Capabilities

The HHS has announced that it “intends to provide $211 million to the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle (RRPV) Consortium to enhance mRNA platform capabilities so that the U.S. is better prepared to respond to emerging infectious diseases like avian flu.”

The funding will “support development and long-term manufacturing capability of an RNA-based vaccine platform technology to combat evolving 21st century biothreats.” Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell states that “the funding will allow us to bring the benefits of mRNA vaccine technology to bear against a wider array of emerging threats.” mRNA technology “can be faster to develop and easier to update than other vaccines making it a helpful tool to have against viruses that move fast and mutate quickly.”

The RRPV is “a 10-year, multi-purpose acquisition vehicle and consortium partnership designed to support advanced research and development of medical countermeasures, such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The consortium leverages ASPR's authority to create flexible, strategic partnerships between government and industry that foster innovation and promote collaboration.”