Tiba Biotech, which was developing an RNAi-based therapeutic for H1N1 influenza, experienced a contract cancellation with BARDA worth $750,000, ending on October 30. Tiba was surprised by the stop-work order received on August 5, which did not mention ongoing mRNA activities. The project's progress met its goals and was nearing completion. Similarly, a $750,000 award for an mRNA antiviral treatment conversion to an inhaled formulation to Emory University was also canceled. This aligns with government plans to deprioritize infectious disease research, raising concerns about future pandemic vulnerabilities.
The contract cancellation came as a surprise to Tiba, which received a stop-work order on August 5 that did not reference the wind-down of BARDA's mRNA vaccine development activities.
Tiba says its project had met its goals so far and was near completion.
The cuts are consistent with Kennedy's desire to deprioritize research into infectious diseases, although experts have warned that the cuts could leave the US more vulnerable to future pandemics.
Despite its scaling down of RNA-related infectious disease research, the administration has expressed enthusiasm about some non-Covid research involving mRNA.
#rnai-therapeutics #barda-contract-cancellation #infectious-diseases-research #h1n1-influenza #pandemic-preparedness
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