mRNA Vaccines Can Induce Immune Responses for 2019-nCoV

A Germany based biopharmaceutical company says it has been working over a period of time on the development of innovative messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.

In a press statement issued on January 24, 2020, Dr. Mariola Fotin-Mleczek, Chief Technology Officer of CureVac AG, said: “CureVacs technology and mRNA platform are specifically suitable to rapidly provide an answer to a viral outbreak situation like this.”

“We are currently in the process of producing a vaccine that, after successful preclinical tests, could be tested in humans in a clinical study.”

“From earlier preclinical work on another Coronavirus, we know that our mRNA vaccines are suitable to induce an immune response in animals for this type of viruses.”

“Furthermore, our recent clinical results with a rabies vaccine show that we can induce an immune response in humans with very low amounts of mRNA, concluded Dr. Fotin-Mleczek.

This is an important statement since the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved a coronavirus preventive or therapeutic vaccine, as of January 24, 2020.

To date, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has invested more than 60 million euros in CureVac to support the further development of CureVac's mRNA platform and the construction of a Good Manufacturing Practice production facility on an industrial scale as well as the development of prophylactic vaccines.

In addition, CureVac is working on the development of The RNA Printer, which is a mobile, automated production unit for rapid mRNA supply. 

Previously, the Coalition for Epidemics Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced support for the development of such a platform with 30 million euros. This innovative platform should enable the rapid supply of mRNA vaccine candidates against diseases such as the new Coronavirus, 2019-nCoV.

About CureVac AG - CureVac is a leading clinical-stage company in the field of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology with 20 years of expertise in developing and optimizing this versatile molecule for medical purposes.

Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) vaccine news published by Precision Vaccinations.