Moderna announced Wednesday that the Food and Drug Administration will now consider its new flu vaccine, ending a public dispute that had temporarily blocked the company’s application. The vaccine, developed using Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology, was shown in a 40,000-person trial to be more effective for adults 50 and older than one of the standard flu shots currently available.

The FDA initially issued a rare “refusal to file” letter, citing the trial’s lack of comparison to a specific high-dose vaccine recommended for those 65 and older. Moderna objected, noting that the agency had approved the trial design and that additional data from a separate study addressed the concern. The FDA did not raise any safety issues.

Under a compromise, Moderna is seeking full approval for adults 50 to 64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older, with a follow-up study planned post-market. The company aims to make the vaccine available later this year, with a regulatory decision expected by August 5. Moderna has also applied for approval in Europe, Canada, and Australia.

The dispute highlights the FDA’s heightened scrutiny of mRNA vaccines under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously questioned the technology. Over the past year, the agency has rolled back COVID-19 shot recommendations, added extra warnings to leading mRNA vaccines, and removed critics of the administration’s approach from advisory panels.

Shares of Moderna rose more than 5% in morning trading following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the agency’s renewed review.