The Current And Future Value Of mRNA Vaccines And Therapeutics

By Norman Garceau, PhD, Vice President and Global Head of R&D Technology; Jordon Wang, PhD, Vice President, Technology Development; and Scott Alderucci, Director, Process Development, Curia

The unprecedented and rapid global effort to develop vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 propelled mRNA technology into the mainstream, transforming it from a relatively obscure field to a central focus in therapeutic development. Although it seemed as if mRNA-based therapeutics emerged overnight, they are the result of decades of research and development since the technology's inception in 1990. Extensive experimentation over the years enabled companies like BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna to utilize their internal research programs to create the two mRNA vaccines that significantly mitigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This success spurred a substantial increase in the adoption of mRNA-based drug development programs within the biopharma industry.

Since 2020, the number of clinical trials involving RNA-based drug products has surged, with infectious diseases and cancer being the primary targets for these trials, accounting for 83%. While some trials involve antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and other RNA modalities, the majority focus on mRNA. Reflecting this heightened interest, the mRNA cancer vaccines and therapeutics market, valued at approximately $47 billion in 2021, is projected to grow to $109 billion by 2028.

Curia, with its expertise in both chemistry and biologics, is uniquely positioned to support mRNA drug development. Our comprehensive solutions encompass discovery and engineering, mRNA drug substance formulation, and the fill-finish and manufacturing of lipids and nucleosides. Leveraging this experience, Curia is equipped to drive forward the next generation of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines.