Polymerase As A Process Lever: Lessons From Benchmarking Of dsRNA Across Polymerase Systems

When mRNA manufacturing teams hit dsRNA challenges, the instinct is to add purification steps. But each addition costs yield, time, and process complexity. A head-to-head comparison at UBC's RNA & Formulation Core tested 15 RNA polymerase systems on identical templates, measuring the three metrics that matter most: normalized yield, integrity, and dsRNA. The findings reframe how IVT teams should think about enzyme selection; not as a standalone choice, but as a coupled system with reaction conditions.

Only a handful of enzymes performed competitively across all three metrics simultaneously. Among them, Primrose Bio's Prima RNApols ExTend delivered 0.18% dsRNA alongside strong yield and 86% integrity. The data suggests that controlling dsRNA upstream isn't just possible; it's a lever that reduces downstream burden before it starts. See how polymerase selection could change your purification calculus at primrosebio.com.