Introduction:
Arcturus Therapeutics, the first company to have a self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) approved as a COVID-19 vaccine, attributes its success to perfecting the basics of manufacturing. The company has been able to get to market due to its previous work on mRNA for rare diseases and its expertise in encapsulating the mRNA within lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).
- Arcturus Therapeutics credits its success in commercializing saRNA to perfecting the manufacturing process.
- The company’s ARCT-154 vaccine molecule is almost three times longer than Moderna and Pfizer’s vaccines, posing a challenge in commercialization.
- The team worked on the basics, such as purification and stability techniques, to develop a robust manufacturing process.
- Arcturus Therapeutics has developed a novel lyophilization technique to improve stability and shelf life of the saRNA vaccine.
- The company is looking to bring a flu vaccine into the clinic and develop future treatments for rare diseases using mRNA technology.
Conclusion:
Arcturus Therapeutics’ success in commercializing saRNA as a COVID-19 vaccine can be attributed to its focus on perfecting the basics of manufacturing. The company’s expertise in encapsulating the mRNA within LNPs and its development of a novel lyophilization technique have contributed to the stability and shelf life of the saRNA vaccine. These advancements in manufacturing process have extensive implications not just for COVID-19 vaccines but also for the development of future treatments for rare diseases using mRNA technology.
