Moderna secured up to $54.3 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to advance its mRNA‑1018 H5 avian influenza vaccine into a Phase 3 program. CEPI’s injection of funds follows the earlier termination of some U.S. government support and obligates Moderna to allocate a portion of production capacity to low‑ and middle‑income countries if the vaccine is approved. CEPI framed the award as a pandemic preparedness investment; Moderna and CEPI already have a strategic partnership on pandemic vaccines. Moderna’s H5 program previously received BARDA contracts that were later canceled; the CEPI agreement revives pivotal testing and pushes the candidate toward licensure readiness. The funding commitment underscores continued global investment in mRNA platforms for pandemic‑prone pathogens and highlights the role of public‑private coalitions in bridging gaps left by shifting national procurement strategies.