Study Finds New Type of mRNA Vaccine More Scalable and Adaptable Than Previous Types

A new study has found that a new type of mRNA vaccine “is more scalable and adaptable to continuously evolving viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and H5N1.”

Current mRNA vaccines are highly effective at inducing an immune response. However, they require a “high amount of mRNA” in order to produce them, and the pathogens they tackle are “constantly evolving.” When the virus changes, the vaccine needs to be updated, which takes time.

The researchers involved with this study created a “proof-of-concept COVID-19 vaccine using what’s known as a ‘trans-amplifying’ mRNA platform. In this approach, the mRNA is separated into two fragments—the antigen sequence and the replicase sequence—the latter of which can be produced in advance, saving crucial time in the event a new vaccine must be developed urgently and produced at scale.” The researchers also “analyzed the spike-protein sequences of all known variants of SARS-CoV-2 for commonalities, rendering what’s known as a ‘consensus spike protein’ as the basis for the vaccine’s antigen.”

In mice, the vaccine “induced a robust immune response against many strains of SARS-CoV-2.” Suresh Kuchipudi, the senior author of the study, said that the vaccine “has the potential to provide broad protection,” resulting in more lasting immunity that would not require updating. This vaccine also has an mRNA dose “40 times less than conventional vaccines, so this new approach significantly reduces the overall cost.”