The Food and Drug Administration has scheduled an advisory panel meeting for June 18 to review Moderna's experimental mRNA flu vaccine, according to a Federal Register notice.

The panel will discuss and make recommendations on the safety and effectiveness of Moderna's MFLUSIVA flu vaccine. The advisory committee review represents a standard step in the regulatory process for new vaccines seeking FDA approval.

Moderna developed the flu vaccine using the same mRNA technology platform that was used in its COVID-19 vaccine. The company has been working to expand its mRNA vaccine portfolio beyond COVID-19 to include seasonal influenza and other respiratory diseases.

FDA advisory panels are composed of independent experts who provide non-binding recommendations to the agency. While the FDA is not required to follow the panel's advice, it typically does so in most cases. The advisory committee process allows for public discussion of clinical trial data and scientific evidence before regulatory decisions are made.

The review comes as pharmaceutical companies continue to explore mRNA technology for various vaccine applications following the success of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.