mRNA BASED VACCINES
mRNA is used as a bio-therapeutic, where it gets translated in the cells of the human body to the corresponding protein antigen it codes for, against which antibodies can be developed.
The use of mRNA as a therapeutic agent was made possible by the development of various delivery agents and modifications to the mRNA, which increased its stability, efficacy, delivery efficiency, and immunogenicity.
mRNA can be used to create practically any protein in the body: antigens against which antibodies can be developed, growth factors, enzymes for rare diseases, host-specific proteins, etc.
The establishment of the ‘mRNA-based platform technology’ could be an important tool for developing variant-proof, safe, and effective vaccines. mRNA vaccines do not contain live virus and carry no risk of causing disease in the vaccinated person, thus making them suitable for people with compromised immune systems.
mRNA-based vaccines are the ideal choice because of their rapid development and production timeline. mRNA vaccines are considered safe as mRNA is non-infectious, non-integrating in nature, and is degraded by standard cellular mechanisms. They are highly efficacious because of their inherent capability to be translated into proteins. Additionally, mRNA vaccines are fully synthetic and do not require a host for growth, e.g., eggs or bacteria. Therefore, they can be quickly manufactured in a cost effective manner under cGMP conditions to ensure their “availability” and “accessibility” for mass vaccination on a sustainable basis. These vaccines are safe as mRNA is non-infectious, non-integrating in nature, and degraded by normal cellular mechanisms.
The mRNA turnaround time reduces the entire vaccine formulation and development stage drastically.