Advancing mRNA vaccine production management
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a critical component of cellular gene expression, instructing cells to make proteins inside our bodies. This function can be exploited for vaccines by using mRNA to teach cells to craft a protein characteristic of the virus or bacteria that is being vaccinated against, such as the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, thereby generating the particular proteins that trigger the immune response in our bodies. This mechanism, utilized so effectively in the vaccine response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is the foundation of a new generation of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.
Across the biopharma industry, manufacturers of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics are seeking new tools and resources to help improve the safety, stability and quality of their mRNA drug products as they work to scale up production to satisfy fast-growing demand.
Two key resources that can make a positive contribution to these efforts are single-use technology and expert biospecimen management provided through biorepository services. Although each has unique characteristics and the ability to make contributions, both offer mRNA manufacturers a range of tools that can protect the safety and integrity of mRNA production processes while providing ways to streamline operations as manufacturers scale up.
The article is being published in European Biopharmaceutical Review (EBR), January 2023.
Authors
Dr. Navjot Kaur
Business Segment Manager, mRNA and Gene Therapy workflows
Navjot specializes in mRNA and gene therapy workflows to provide solutions in the biomanufacturing of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. She has a Ph.D. in Biology and twenty-plus years of experience in biopharma/biotechnology spanning from automation in early discovery to synergizing workflows for commercial production.
Timothy Korwan
Director of New Product Development at Avantor
Tim has 20+ years of experience as an engineer and business development with VWR, PAW BioScience Products, and Biopure Corporation where he has designed single-use products, components, and systems that are used by the global drug and vaccine manufacturing industry.
Radha Krishnan
Global Director for Biorepository Operations and Strategy
She is a cross-functional biopharmaceutical executive with expertise in leading business transformation projects driving operational excellence, cost synergies, and technological innovation in the management of clinical trials – specifically supporting specimen management delivery and optimisation. She has over 15 years of experience in Central Labs enabling strategic growth through integration and operationalising Mergers & Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, and alliances.