health
“Textbook Conflict Of Interest”: Did Blackstone Pressure FDA To Reverse Course On Moderna mRNA Flu Vaccine?
In 2024, Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative assets manager, launched a $750 million investment in Moderna to support the development of its mRNA flu vaccine. In February, the FDA rejected a review of the vaccine’s Phase 3 clinical trial. By early March, the head of the agency’s vaccine division was gone from the FDA, and the review was back on.
TL;DR
- Blackstone invested $750 million in Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine program.
- The FDA initially refused to review Moderna's Phase 3 clinical trial data but later reversed its decision.
- Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA's vaccine division, departed shortly after the reversal.
- Critics argue Blackstone's investment and ties to the Republican party and Trump administration created a conflict of interest influencing the FDA's decision.
- Blackstone's lobbying efforts and connections to pharmaceutical companies are also highlighted.