United States: The Health and Human Services Department moved USD 500 million away from COVID-19 next-generation vaccine research to fund one specific vaccine project under the leadership of Trump’s former National Institutes of Health (NIH) acting director.
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Many federal health officials expressed surprise when the announcement skirted traditional NIH oversight of scientific progress together with BARDA since the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority is part of the healthcare procedures.
The system of federal reviews exists to select research projects that demonstrate maximum scientific worth for government-funded research.
The Health and Human Services department, through its “Generation Gold Standard” project, plans to initiate universal influenza vaccine clinical trials during the following year for cross-strain protection against influenza.
The project plans to achieve FDA clearance for its vaccine during the year 2029.
CBS News reports that all funds from the operation flow directly to a project developing an influenza vaccine through beta-propiolactone technology.
HHS spokesperson told @FierceBiotech that Kennedy's new $500M vaccine project "The Generation Gold Standard" working on a universal flu vaccine is "developed entirely by government scientists—free from industry influence—the BPL vaccine platform could provide broad, long-lasting… pic.twitter.com/rStRS8y4h1
— Pearl Freier (@PearlF) May 2, 2025
Two experts have indicated that the single-focused USD 500 million investment in the vaccine platform stands out because of the restricted evidence available.
The government funds transfer establishes this program as the largest BARDA initiative to expedite funding for new experimental vaccines and treatments by surpassing the previous USD 452 million support provided to an experimental oral COVID-19 vaccine company.
The Wall Street Journal released this information about the project at an earlier time.
According to an HHS spokesperson, “Decision-making for project Generation Gold Standard was a collaborative process, between leaders of HHS, in an effort to direct funding for a BPL vaccine for all influenza threats, not just one,” CBS reported.
Dr. Matthew Memoli and Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger from NIH conducted their safety results evaluation for the vaccine through testing in a small study at the beginning of this year.
Scientists refer to this research as a Phase 1 study before proceeding to human potential vaccine research.
As acting NIH head, Memoli managed the agency during the controversial recent months while implementing Trump directives that included funding reductions and changed medical staff leadership.