ARTICLES BY ANNA ROSE WELCH

• The RNA Ties That Bind: 3 Takeaways From The OPT Congress

  4/1/2026

  Here, I unpack three takeaways I had from the OPT Congress, each of which I’d argue are indicative of the interconnectedness across the genetic medicines field.

• Mapping The LNP Frontier: The Quest For Better LNPs

  3/17/2026

  Having previously served as the head of delivery sciences for Moderna pre-pandemic, Almarsson was part of the RNA-LNP delivery journey long before it was scientifically en vogue. That’s why I was excited to sit down with him to discuss the latest and greatest advancements in the RNA-LNP space. Here, we take stock of the developments he’s been watching in the passive and active delivery spaces.

• Inside Alnylam's Playbook For High Volume siRNA Production

  3/10/2026

  As one of the first companies to establish a chemoenzymatic ligation platform, Alnylam's Maines and Nechev are in the perfect position to espouse wisdom on the practical aspects and remaining challenges of implementing enzymatic ligation at a large scale. Here in this installment, Maines and Nechev outline what they’ve learned thus far about the science of enzymatic ligation, while also paying credence to the unknowns and existing barriers that, as a frontrunner, Alnylam will inevitably (but willingly) be tasked with facing in the future.

• The "Middle Ground" Advantage: Why Alnylam Is Betting Big On Chemoenzymatic Ligation

  3/3/2026

  Though conversations are picking up around this hybrid approach, we aren’t exactly known as an industry that embraces risk no-holds barred. While there are a handful of manufacturers and CDMOs who are embracing the hybrid model today, there are many more that are likely to hold out for the next-next gen approach: Fully enzymatic oligo production. However, as Alynlam’s CTO and Chief Quality Officer Tim Maines argued, embarking into the “middle ground” of enzymatic ligation is essential for garnering the step-by-step learnings needed to help us unlock even bigger manufacturing wins in the future. 

• The Monster Under The Bed: Defining Potency in the mRNA Space

  2/13/2026

  During the CASSS mRNA Symposium last spring, a seemingly simple, straightforward question was raised: How are we defining and measuring our product’s potency? But as we already know, this is far from a straightforward question — and, dear reader, based on the resulting discussion amongst regulators and panel members, it became clear we have a lot of different definitions on what potency even is in the mRNA space.

• A New Space Race: Reclaiming Efficiency In The mRNA Industry

  1/27/2026

  It goes without saying that efficiency in drug development is tantamount — especially when it comes to getting much-needed clinical data. So, when I asked Allan Shaw about the ongoing trends he anticipates seeing more of in 2026, he immediately pointed to the increasing prominence of overseas development, particularly in nations like Australia and China. 

• 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.