ARTICLES BY ANNA ROSE WELCH

Money In The Bank: Why 2025's Setbacks Were The Foundation RNA Needed
1/5/2026

I saw 2025 as a year that was foundational for our efforts to learn more about the biology and function of our products. However, there were two developments in particular that, to me, encapsulated the trials, tribulations, and ultimately the success of an industry that is doing its damnedest to answer one of the biggest questions facing us: “Why RNA?”
Biology, Specificity, and the Rules of RNA Business Strategy In 2026
12/22/2025

Here, in part 3 of this outlook series, we continue our forward-looking conversation with Signify Bio CBO, Renee Williams, who shares why she hopes 2026 is the year we “focus in” on three important factors — namely our biology, our platforms, and our IP — and what this looks like/means strategically.
Beyond The Hype: How 2025's Successes & Realities Will Shape mRNA In 2026
12/16/2025

Here, in part two of this multi-part series, we hear from Melissa Bonner, CSO of nChroma Bio and Andy Geall, CDO of Replicate Biosciences, who call attention to several developments of the past year they’ve been watching and how they see these developments informing our conversations about and work with mRNA in 2026 and beyond.
Beyond The Boom: Market Trends That Defined mRNA In 2025
12/11/2025

Here, in part one of this multi-part series, we start by examining several of the overall market trends that took shape in 2025. In particular, we hear from Melissa Bonner, CSO of nChroma Bio, Allan Shaw, CFO of CREATE Medicines (formerly Myeloid Therapeutics), and Andy Geall, CDO of Replicate Biosciences, each of whom called out several defining characteristics that set the stage for the important work we have before us in 2026.
Striking The Right Balance: The Critical Discussions Driving The mRNA Industry's Next Chapter
11/25/2025

Now, I cannot claim that I or any of the panelists at CASSS have or had access to a real crystal ball that will show us the future. However, what did come through these discussions loud and clear is that the future of our industry must include “balance.” Here, I’ll unpack a few ways the theme of “balance” presented itself — and no doubt will continue to present itself in the future — as well as how the panelists see us achieving this necessary balance.
Trends In Oligo Scale-Up & Delivery & How They're Impacting Manufacturing
11/14/2025

Here, a panel of experts at the RNA Leaders Conference gives a fantastic overview of where we are today and why, as one expert so nicely put it, “This is one of the most fun times to be an oligo scientist or chemist.”
Beyond the Hype: Industry Experts on the Reality of mRNA in Cancer Care
10/31/2025

When I asked a panel of experts at RNA Leaders why mRNA was best positioned to shine in oncology, I was met with a few expected talking points and — better yet — a few I wasn’t expecting.
From Misinformation To Medicine: Forging Bipartisan Support to Reverse Anti-mRNA Policy
10/9/2025

In this article, I’ll share some of the progress AMM has made and the barriers the organization/our industry is still facing in our efforts to reverse the policy decisions that have been made against mRNA today. Throughout the panel, the speakers also shared their thoughts on the types of messaging we should be considering and/or have started to see making an impact.
Reclaiming mRNA's Story: How U.S. Policy Upheavals Are Pushing Us To Adapt
10/2/2025

I’d like to believe everyone reading Advancing RNA already knows that mRNA is the greatest. So, this article isn’t going to outline why the U.S. government’s current efforts to disparage mRNA are harmful. Rather, I’d like to focus on how these policies are impacting our industry in both positive and negative ways — starting with a few takeaways I gleaned from a discussion at RNA Leaders.
The Case for Process Simplification in mRNA Manufacturing
9/2/2025

Here, I wanted to share a few additional details from Parrella’s presentation about the efforts he and his team at Kernal Biologics made to improve their overall mRNA-LNP COGS. Though he emphasized the amount of opportunity that exists to improve our utilization of costly raw materials/reagents, as he revealed, there are also opportunities for process simplification.

Anna Rose Welch

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Anna Rose Welch is the editorial and community director of Advancing RNA. In this role, she is forging close relationships with the leading voices and organizations in the RNA industry. In addition to penning thought leadership articles and developing other creative forms of content on the evolving RNA industry, she hosts panel discussions and is an active participant in the RNA/ATMP conferences circuit.

Prior to entering the advanced therapies space, Anna Rose built a global editorial following as the Chief Editor of Biosimilar Development.

Over the past decade, her work in the biologics and advanced therapies spaces has taken her across the world to chair conferences, give presentations, moderate panel discussions, and serve on conference advisory boards. Most notably, she has been involved with the BioPhorum ATMP Conference, Phacilitate’s RNA Connect, the AGC CDMO Summit, the World Vaccine Congress, DIA Biosimilars Conference, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Annual Healthcare Summit. In 2018, the trade association Grupo FarmaBrasil invited her to Brazil where she addressed members of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, ANVISA, and local biologics and biosimilar manufacturers on establishing national biologics and biosimilar policies.

In 2018, her first book of poetry, We, The Almighty Fires, was published by Alice James Books. She lives in Erie, PA, where she is a violinist in the Presque Isle Pro Musica chamber orchestra and an aspiring ballet dancer.