Seqirus Launches sa-mRNA Vaccine Development Program

New Jersey-based Seqirus announced today plans to accelerate the development of its next-generation vaccine technology, a self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA) program.

Seqirus is currently developing a number of sa-mRNA-based influenza vaccine candidates, with pre-clinical results demonstrating promise as compared to more traditional influenza vaccine technologies.

 In preclinical research, sa-mRNA technology demonstrated the potential to raise stronger cellular responses and generate significantly higher antibody titers at the same dose level as mRNA.

Furthermore, the company is targeting the commencement of clinical trials for both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine candidates in the second half of 2022.

mRNA vaccines help protect against infectious diseases by giving instructions to cells in the body to make a protein, stimulating the immune response, and leaving a blueprint to recognize and fight future infection, says the U.S. CDC.

Self-amplifying mRNA instructs the body to replicate mRNA, amplifying the amount of protein made.

This could enable vaccine manufacturers to potentially develop more effective vaccines with a smaller dosage and with lower rates of reactogenicity, underscoring the application in both pandemic and seasonal settings.

While its current focus remains on influenza, Seqirus is also exploring the potential for sa-mRNA vaccines in other disease areas.

Seqirus sees this technology as an important element in its R&D pipeline, in addition to its adjuvanted, cell-based influenza vaccine candidate, a highly flexible platform for a rapid pandemic response, regardless of influenza virus strain, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials.

"As the industry leader in influenza vaccines, we recognize the important role that we must play to develop this platform today and for years to come," said Roberta Duncan, VP, mRNA Program Lead at CSL Seqirus.

"It's an exciting time for the industry and Seqirus, as we continue actively pursuing technological advances to improve influenza protection and help safeguard our communities around the world against this potentially serious virus."

Seqirus produces influenza vaccines across its global manufacturing network, including facilities in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. In addition, Seqirus is currently considering a number of global locations to establish scaled manufacturing capabilities for its sa-mRNA platform technology.

Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL).