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New York Times
a day ago
- Health
- New York Times
America Is Abandoning One of the Greatest Medical Breakthroughs
In early 2020, when the first genetic sequence of the new coronavirus was posted online, scientists were ready. Within hours, they began designing a vaccine. Within weeks, clinical trials were underway. That unprecedented speed, which saved millions of lives, was possible only because years earlier, the United States had invested in a vaccine technology called mRNA. Today, that work is being sidelined, and with it, our best chance to quickly respond when the next threat emerges. The Department of Health and Human Services recently announced it would wind down 22 mRNA vaccine development projects under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, halting nearly $500 million in investments. This decision undercuts one of the most significant medical advances in decades, technology that could protect millions more from the threats ahead. I know the stakes because I was BARDA's director when the United States made the decision to invest heavily in mRNA. That investment did not begin with Covid-19. It began in 2016, when we faced the Zika virus outbreak. We needed a way to design a vaccine in days, not years, to protect pregnant women and their babies from devastating birth defects. Older vaccine approaches were too slow. The solution was mRNA: a flexible, rapid-response technology that could be reprogrammed for any pathogen once its genetic sequence was known. That early investment laid the groundwork for the lightning-fast Covid-19 response four years later. BARDA wasn't the only government agency making early investments in mRNA research. The Department of Defense and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency had already recognized mRNA's potential for swift action against emerging biological threats, including those that might be weaponized. Globally, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation committed substantial resources to advance the technology for viruses with pandemic potential. These combined efforts created a scientific and manufacturing foundation that allowed the world to move at warp speed when Covid-19 emerged. During the pandemic, mRNA vaccines went from the genetic sequence of the virus to human trials in under 70 days. They were evaluated in large, rigorous trials, meeting the same safety and effectiveness standards as other vaccines. By the end of 2021, they had saved an estimated 20 million lives globally, including more than one million in the United States. They reduced hospitalization and death rates, lowered the risk of long Covid and helped economies and communities reopen sooner. The mRNA technology is not a single vaccine. It is what scientists describe as a platform, which can be adapted quickly for new or mutating viruses, combined to target multiple variants and manufactured through a streamlined process that reduces reliance on fragile global supply chains. It is now being tested for personalized cancer vaccines, autoimmune therapies and treatments for rare diseases. It is under study to protect against pathogens like Nipah, Lassa fever and Chikungunya, threats that could cause the next global emergency. Like every technology, mRNA has limitations. Vaccines meant to protect against respiratory infections, whether mRNA or older technologies, are generally better at preventing severe disease than preventing you from getting infected. It is a scientific challenge we can address with next-generation vaccines. The answer to limitations is improvement, not abandonment. Political narratives about mRNA have fueled confusion, which leads to mistrust, yet the scientific evidence consistently shows that this technology is safe and effective, and holds enormous potential for future vaccines and treatments. Some have claimed mRNA encourages viral mutations or prolongs pandemics. Research says otherwise. Mutations arise when viruses replicate. Vaccination can help reduce the chances of virus replication, which would reduce opportunities for mutation. Other critics point to safety concerns. With more than 13 billion Covid‑19 vaccine doses administered globally, including hundreds of millions of mRNA doses, the evidence shows that serious complications are very rare and occur at rates comparable with those of other vaccines. Most side effects are mild and short‑lived. If the United States abandons mRNA, it will not simply be forfeiting a public health advantage. It will be ceding a strategic asset. In national security terms, mRNA is the equivalent of a missile defense system for biology. The ability to rapidly design, produce and deploy medical countermeasures is as vital to our defense as any military capability. Adversaries who invest in this technology will be able to respond faster to outbreaks, protecting their populations sooner than we can. Right now, the United States has a decisive advantage in mRNA science, manufacturing capacity and regulatory expertise. But in an era where biological threats can be engineered, losing this competitive edge would leave the United States vulnerable and dependent on others for lifesaving tools. The consequences of canceling mRNA contracts will affect more nations than just the United States. Many countries have been building regional mRNA manufacturing capacity. For a leader like the United States to pull back now undermines that effort and weakens our collective ability to respond to the next outbreak. It means choosing to face the next biological threat with fewer defenses and slower tools while others build speed and strength. There is a better path forward. The department of Health and Human Services can work with scientists, public health experts and security leaders to refine and improve mRNA technology while preserving critical programs and production capacity. By recalibrating rather than severing support, we can keep this powerful tool ready for the time it is needed most. The next crisis will not wait for us to rebuild what we have thrown away. Rick Bright (@RickABright) is the chief executive of Bright Global Health, a global strategic advisory organization focused on improving responses to public health emergencies. He advises the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, the World Health Organization African Regional Office and the global 100 Days Mission. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@ Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp and Threads.
CNN
06-08-2025
- Health
- CNN
RFK Jr. slashed mRNA vaccine development funding. A Nobel Prize winner just responded
US Health and Human Services is 'winding down' its mRNA vaccine development and will instead fund other vaccine platforms through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the agency said. 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Katalin Karikó reacts.
CNN
06-08-2025
- Health
- CNN
RFK Jr. slashed mRNA vaccine development funding. A Nobel Prize winner just responded
US Health and Human Services is 'winding down' its mRNA vaccine development and will instead fund other vaccine platforms through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the agency said. 2023 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Katalin Karikó reacts.
Wall Street Journal
05-08-2025
- Health
- Wall Street Journal
HHS to Wind Down mRNA Vaccine Programs
The Department of Health and Human Services said it is winding down its mRNA vaccine-development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. The move includes terminating 22 vaccine investments and canceling and shrinking various contracts and solicitations, HHS said Tuesday.
Associated Press
04-08-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes Asia Conference 2025 Discover Emerging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Extracellular Vesicles (Tokyo, Japan - October 6-7, 2025)
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 4, 2025-- The 'Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes Asia 2025" conference has been added to offering. The Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes Asia 2025 will be held October 6-7, 2025 right at Tokyo-Narita Airport, Japan. The Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes Asia 2025 is Chaired by Professor Mei He from the University of Florida -- and brings together academics and industry/company participants from across Asia. Speakers for this conference from academic institutions, companies and technology/tools/instrumentation companies that provide the infrastructure and innovation in EV research tools development. Attendees and Exhibitors receive full access to both tracks for maximal scientific exchange and networking. Given the high levels of interest in Extracellular Vesicles/Exosomes across Asia from Research, Diagnostic and Therapeutics perspectives, this conference brings together the various stakeholders in this space for 2-days of intensive scientific presentations, product demonstrations as well as posters from students and postdoctoral fellows as a means to illustrate and disseminate their research. This is a 2-track conference composed of the following tracks: Agenda: Speakers For more information about this conference visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on CONTACT: Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 KEYWORD: JAPAN ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTH SCIENCE PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH SOURCE: Research and Markets Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 08/04/2025 07:34 AM/DISC: 08/04/2025 07:35 AM
