In the last 12 months mRNA has stepped into the spotlight as a successful strategy for vaccines, and while it may seem like a recent breakthrough, this exciting new era for vaccines is built on the backbone of decades of research. The use of mRNA as a therapeutic was first proposed by Dr Katalin Karikó in the early 1990s. Her research overcoming the challenges around introduced synthetic mRNA have been seminal in establishing its value for vaccine design. The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have further served to accelerate acceptance and provide proof-of-concept that they are safe and effective, showing equal or greater protection against the virus when compared to traditional vaccines. As well as the use in vaccination against infectious diseases, recent clinical trials have shown promising therapeutic outcomes of mRNA vaccines against multiple aggressive solid tumours suggesting significant potential as next generation therapies for cancer immunotherapy.
High quality In Vitro Transcription (IVT) of the synthetic mRNA is a major determinant for vaccine success, and choosing the correct IVT strategy involves how the mRNA is amplified, capped, tailed and purified. The reagents and processes used will not only ensure stable, functional mRNA is produced, but will also determine the scalability of mRNA synthesis as a vaccine candidate moves from the lab bench to gram-scale GMP manufacturing. New England Biolabs standalone reagents are readily available for IVT in formats matching our GMP-grade offering, enabling a seamless transition to large-scale therapeutic mRNA manufacturing.