Vaccine Manufacturing mRNA

About Vaccine Manufacturing mRNA

mRNA vaccine manufacturing differs fundamentally from traditional vaccine production. mRNA vaccines do not require cell cultures or eggs. The process involves synthesizing mRNA from DNA templates, encapsulating it in lipid nanoparticles, and formulating the final product. The process can be completed in weeks rather than months. However, lipid nanoparticle manufacturing is complex and has been a bottleneck. Patents on mRNA technology and lipid nanoparticles have led to extensive litigation involving companies such as Moderna, Pfizer, BioNTech, CureVac, Arbutus, and Alnylam. WHO established mRNA technology transfer hubs in South Africa, Brazil, India, and other countries to expand manufacturing capacity. The South African hub, Afrigen Biologics, produced an mRNA COVID vaccine prototype without technology transfer from Moderna or Pfizer.