Why in the news?
- Russia developed a new mRNA vaccine named Enteromix to treat cancer, which showed 100% efficacy in clinical trials.
mRNA Vaccine Technology
- What is it?
- mRNA vaccines use a synthetic messenger RNA sequence that codes for a disease-specific antigen like spike protein in the case of SARS CoV-2.
- Once inside the body, host cells use the mRNA to produce the antigen, which then triggers an immune response.
- Unlike traditional vaccines, they do not use live pathogens or protein subunits
- How it Works:
- Design: mRNA sequence is created in the lab using the pathogen’s genetic code.
- Delivery: Encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to protect from degradation.
- Translation: Host ribosomes read the mRNA and synthesize antigenic proteins.
- Immune Response: Antigen presented initiates the action of B-cells (antibody production) and T-cells (cellular immunity).
- Degradation: mRNA naturally breaks down, leaving no trace in the body.
- Global Examples
- Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2): First approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Dec 2020).
- Moderna (mRNA-1273): COVID-19 vaccine with similar technology.
- CureVac, Sanofi: Developing next-gen mRNA vaccines.
- India in mRNA Vaccine Research:
- Gennova Biopharmaceuticals (Pune): Developed HGCO19, India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine (in collaboration with DBT).
- Ongoing research on multivalent mRNA vaccines (for flu, COVID variants).
- Government push under Atmanirbhar Bharat & Biotechnology Innovation Mission.
- Advantages:
- Rapid Development: Can be designed in weeks once the pathogen genome is known.
- Flexibility: Easily adaptable for new variants (e.g., COVID-19 mutations).
- No Risk of Infection: As no live pathogen is used.
- Strong Immune Response: Induces both humoral and cellular immunity.
- Scalability: Lab-based production, faster than egg/cell culture methods.
- Challenges
- High Cost: Advanced tech & storage increase vaccine price.
- Vaccine Hesitancy: Misinformation about genetic alteration.
- Stability Issues: mRNA is fragile, prone to degradation.
- Cold Chain Dependency: Require ultra-low temperatures (-70°C for Pfizer initially).
- Equity Concerns: Limited availability in developing countries.
