mRNA Access: Moderna and Inserm join forces to accelerate vaccine research through mRNA technology
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Paris, June 4, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Paris, June 4, 2025 – Moderna and Inserm today announced a strategic partnership under Moderna’s mRNA Access program to advance vaccine research.
The first collaborative program between the two entities will be led by the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI – UPEC/ANRS MIE). It will combine Moderna’s mRNA technologies with those developed by the VRI to design new vaccine strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.
Harnessing mRNA technology to tackle global health challenges.
Launched in 2022, mRNA Access is Moderna’s global public health initiative aimed at giving leading research centers around the world access to its mRNA technology platform. The goal is to empower academic and public health institutions to conduct their own mRNA research and develop vaccines targeting locally or globally relevant emerging or neglected infectious diseases.
It is within this framework that Moderna and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) have entered into a collaboration.
By combining the VRI and Inserm’s expertise in infectious disease research with Moderna’s mRNA platform, the two partners aim to explore new prevention and treatment strategies for SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, generate early data to address long-standing scientific challenges, and potentially support future clinical development.
Beyond this initial collaboration, all Inserm researchers will be able to access Moderna’s technology platform to produce mRNA for their research and preclinical studies targeting a wide range of diseases.
This collaboration marks the 18th such partnership worldwide under mRNA Access, and the second in France, following the agreement with the Institut Pasteur announced in May 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome Inserm as the 18th partner in the mRNA Access program. This collaboration reflects the core ambition of the initiative: to make the power of mRNA accessible to researchers worldwide to address pressing public health challenges. HIV is a compelling example, and we hope this partnership with Inserm will help generate essential scientific insights to accelerate the development of novel approaches.” — Hamilton Bennett, Executive Director, Resilience R&D and Partnerships, Moderna
“For over 40 years, Inserm has been committed to infectious disease research, with a constant drive to innovate and respond to public health challenges. Joining Moderna’s mRNA Access program fits perfectly with this mission—exploring new scientific pathways through cutting-edge technologies such as messenger RNA. This partnership, driven by the VRI, is a tremendous opportunity to advance SARS-CoV-2 and HIV research and strengthen our collective capacity to respond to global health challenges.”— Prof. Yves Lévy, Director of VRI/ANRS MIE/Inserm
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear how important it is to provide French research teams with the tools to accelerate progress in vaccine development. This partnership perfectly reflects our ambition in that regard.” — Didier Samuel, CEO of Inserm
“I am pleased to see France now home to two partnerships within the mRNA Access program, with Inserm joining Institut Pasteur. This new collaboration highlights the excellence and global reach of French public research in infectious diseases. By combining this expertise with our mRNA technology, we aim to advance research on SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.” — Séverine Lemoine, General Manager, Moderna France
About Moderna
Moderna is a pioneer in messenger RNA (mRNA) medicine. Harnessing the potential of mRNA, Moderna is developing a new generation of vaccines and therapeutics, transforming patient care in prevention and treatment. For over a decade at the intersection of science, technology, and health, Moderna has delivered innovative therapies at unprecedented speed, including one of the earliest vaccines against COVID-19.
Moderna’s mRNA platform supports the development of treatments and vaccines in infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, and autoimmune disorders. Driven by a unique culture and a commitment to responsibly shaping the future of human health, Moderna’s global team strives to make mRNA-based therapies available to all.
For more information, visit www.modernatx.com, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About mRNA Access
mRNA Access is Moderna’s global public health initiative to provide researchers worldwide with access to its mRNA technology platform. The goal is to enable academic and public health institutions to conduct their own mRNA research and develop vaccines targeting infectious diseases of local or global concern. The program reflects Moderna’s commitment to health equity, scientific collaboration, and capacity-building in regions most affected by infectious diseases.
To learn more: https://mrna-access.modernatx.com/access
About Inserm
Founded in 1964, Inserm (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) is a public scientific and technological institute dedicated to biomedical and human health research, covering the entire continuum from lab to bedside. Internationally, Inserm is a key partner of the world’s leading institutions tackling major scientific and medical challenges.
More information: https://www.inserm.fr
About the VRI
The Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), designated as a “Laboratory of Excellence” by the French government in 2011, was created by ANRS MIE and Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) to conduct research aimed at accelerating the development of effective vaccines against HIV/AIDS and (re-)emerging infectious diseases. The VRI strengthens the link between basic and translational research, patient associations, and the socioeconomic sector. Led by Professor Yves Lévy, the VRI relies on a network of internationally recognized scientists with multidisciplinary expertise in systems biology and clinical immunology, as well as a network of clinical centers and shared platforms.
More information: https://vaccine-research-institute.fr
Press Contacts:
Moderna France – modernafrance@ipgdxtra.com – +33 6 89 59 12 54
Inserm – presse@inserm.fr