Korean companies are actively studying how to use mRNA technology not only to fight Covid-19 but to treat cancer.
In other countries, researchers are conducting clinical trials of a combination of mRNA vaccine and immunotherapy. Moderna teamed up with Merck, and CureVac/BioN Tech with Roche/Genetech, to test the combo therapy in solid cancer.
In Korea, Theragen Bio, ST Pharm, and Celltrion have announced either a plan for cooperation for mRNA technology or an introduction to an mRNA technology platform to develop a next-generation cancer vaccine.
ST Pharm and Theragen Bio said on Tuesday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly study a “neo-antigen mRNA anticancer vaccine” and cooperation in CDMO (contract development manufacturing organization) business.
In developing an mRNA vaccine for cancer, researchers predict antigens by analyzing major mutations and characteristics of cancer cells’ genes extracted from cancer patients and administering mRNA that produces the antigens to induce an immune response that specifically responds to cancer cells.
Under the MOU, ST Pharm will provide the 5 Prime-Capping and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) transfer platform technology for Theragen Bio and manufacture mRNA-LNP vaccine solutions from clinical trials to post-commercialization.
Theragen Bio will derive mRNA anticancer vaccine candidates using the neo-antigen prediction method through artificial intelligence (AI)-based gene sequencing.
ST Pharm, working on an mRNA vaccine against Covid-19, is also developing a vaccine to treat cancer.
Celltrion said it signed an agreement with TriLink BioTechnologies of the U.S. on Aug. 4 to develop a next-generation mRNA vaccine platform.
Located in San Diego in the U.S., TriLink is a CDMO based on an mRNA platform, having the vector and third-generation capping technology CleanCap, essentially required for mRNA vaccine development.
TriLink will verify antigen sequence and utilize its capping technology to produce materials for Celltrion’s phase 1 and phase 2 trials. It will also provide Celltrion with template vector and mRNA processing technology that enables GMP production.
Utilizing this, Celltrion will develop next-generation vaccines against Covid-19 and its variants and work on an mRNA platform using Celltrion’s patented technology simultaneously, the company said.
By developing an mRNA platform, Celltrion will expand the mRNA technology from Covid-19 treatment to other diseases, including cancer, it added.
“The mRNA technology has drawn attention since the outbreak of Covid-19, but companies are trying to develop a cancer vaccine. In addition, Moderna is expanding mRNA technology to influenza vaccines,” an industry source said. “The market using mRNA technology will keep growing.”