Stabilised mRNA vaccine technology aims to end need for frozen storage and improve access

CEPI to initially provide up to USD850,000 to 20Med to advance development of 20Med's bioresponsive polymeric nanoparticle platform for mRNA stabilisation and delivery. 20Med vaccine technology could improve access to mRNA vaccines by removing the need for frozen storage, enabling easier distribution and improving equitable access to vaccines. February 2, 2023; OSLO, NORWAY: CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and 20Med, a leader in non-viral delivery of genetic vaccines using polymeric nanoparticles, have today announced a partnership to advance the development of 20Med's bioresponsive polymeric nanoparticle technology, which could help end the need for frozen storage of mRNA vaccines. In the near-term, CEPI will provide up to USD850,000 to develop a proof-of-concept for 20Med's nanoparticle platform in the first part of the project, as well as for preclinical studies to assess whether the technology can deliver mRNA vaccines as effectively as the currently approved technology used for mRNA delivery, known as lipid nanoparticles. Overcoming the need for frozen storage of mRNA vaccines Advances in mRNA vaccine technology have been critical to the global response to COVID-19, but one of the major challenges the world faced in getting these life-saving vaccines to vulnerable populations-particularly those people in poorer countries-was the need to store them at very low temperatures. The need for frozen storage of the current generation of mRNA vaccines is due to the fragility of mRNA molecules. An mRNA vaccine must get inside the target cells so that they can read these genetic instructions and produce the proteins needed to stimulate an immune response. Currently, fatty (lipid) nanoparticles are used to encase these fragile mRNA molecules, but frozen storage is still needed to transport these vaccines. Once removed from the freezer, these vaccines usually have to be used within a short timeframe. 20Med's bioresponsive polymeric nanoparticle technology is designed to overcome this challenge by protecting the mRNA against degradation, removing the need for frozen storage altogether while enabling efficient entry of the mRNA into cells. It does this by binding the mRNA to large-chain molecules, known as polymers, which protect the mRNA from degradation caused by heat or other stresses. Once the polymer-encased mRNA makes its way into the target cells, the protective polymers are selectively degraded leaving only the mRNA. This project is the second to be announced as part of CEPI's January 2022 call for proposals, aimed at improving thermostability of-and thereby improving equitable access to-a variety of new vaccine platforms. This call forms part of CEPI's wider strategic goal of harnessing innovative technologies to improve the speed, scale and access of vaccine development and manufacturing in response to epidemic and pandemic threats. Enabling equitable access to vaccines CEPI and 20Med are committed to enabling global equitable access to the vaccines they develop. Under the terms of the funding agreement, 20Med has committed to achieving equitable access to the outputs of this project, including ensuring supply for low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), production of vaccine volumes required to meet public health needs, with affordable pricing, and the potential technology transfer to LMIC manufacturers in line with CEPI's Equitable Access Policy.