Last week, our CSO Jaap Rip joined the mRNA-Based Therapeutics Summit and came back with a set of impressions and reflections on recent news from our sector. Enjoy reading and please chime in with your thoughts! ⬇
🔬 Improvements of the mRNA payloads and their carriers are being explored
Among the various topics discussed at the mRNA Summit, one recurring theme was the continued coevolution of the various components that mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines are made of. At 20Med, we develop polymeric nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle for mRNA and a valuable alternative to LNPs, but likewise is the mRNA a focal point for innovation in the industry and academia. Two recent news items exemplifying this trend were i) CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)’s new collaboration with the Houston Methodist Research Institute on using a potentially more stable, durable and cost-effective circular mRNA, and ii), Strand Therapeutics announcement of preclinical data on a programmable mRNA that would only be activated in a specific target tissue – addressing some of the challenges to drive delivery of the mRNA into target organs by changing the nanoparticle composition.
🤝 Rising interest in polymeric solutions
Meanwhile, the acceptance of polymeric alternatives for lipid nanoparticles is further increasing in the industry. With Genentech, another household name in the biopharmaceutical world, signed a cooperation agreement last week to use a polymeric nanoparticle solution as part of their R&D efforts. We believe, this should be just one of many more examples to come with Big Pharma placing alternatives bets on PNP-driven delivery strategies in addition or potentially substituting LNPs.
👍 A reminder of what vaccines are capable of
Finally, a powerful reminder of the positive impact innovative vaccines can have on human health came from Scotland last week. According to a new study published by Public Health Scotland, among all women, who were fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) at age 12 or 13 in Scotland since 2008, no one developed cervical cancer later in life. We can’t wait to see such examples being repeated many times over, with mRNA vaccines making a broad impact in human medicine.
