Awakening the Giant: The Next Frontier in mRNA Therapeutics
We’ve seen what mRNA can do in vaccines—but that was only the beginning. In a new article published in American Pharmaceutical Review , Vernal’s CSO Christian Cobaugh, Ph.D., outlines how mRNA is poised to revolutionize therapeutic areas far beyond infectious disease—from oncology and rare disorders to gene editing and immunotherapy.
Expert Analytics Drive Successful mRNA Therapeutic Development Programs
Analytics are not an afterthought for innovators mapping the next generation of mRNA therapeutics; they are the roadmap.
‘Time Machine’ Enzyme Could Improve mRNA-Based Therapeutics
A team of Polish researchers from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology found that lengthening the poly(A) tail of mRNA therapeutics can ‘buy’ extra time, allowing the mRNA to function significantly longer in cells.
Source: Provided by University of Warsaw, Published in: phys.org
Current Trends in Messenger RNA Technology for Cancer Therapeutics
mRNA has emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to its design flexibility, scalability for industrial production, and ability to achieve high cell transfection rates through nanodots and organ selectivity via multidimensional screening.
Source: BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH 9 Apr 2025 Vol 29 Article ID: 0178
MicroRNA in Intestinal Tight Junction Regulation
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded non-coding (16 to 24 nucleotides long) RNA molecules that act as post-transcriptional or translational regulators of gene expression by hybridizing to target mRNA 3′-untranslated regions (3’-UTR) and thereby regulating their translation.
Source: npj Gut and Liver volume 2, Article number: 11 (2025)
LNP-RNA-mediated antigen presentation leverages SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity for cancer treatment
The widespread use of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in broad T-cell immunity targeting the viral spike protein. This presents a novel therapeutic opportunity in oncology. This study explore a strategy to redirect spike-specific T-cell immunity toward tumor eradication by developing next-generation LNP-RNA formulations that deliver engineered antigens to cancer cells, demonstrating promising anti-tumor activity in preclinical models.
Source: Nature Communications volume 16, Article number: 2198 (2025)
Liposomal lipid nanoparticles for extrahepatic delivery of mRNA
Achieving efficient mRNA delivery to extrahepatic tissues remains a key challenge in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapeutics. This study explores a new class of long-circulating, transfection-competent LNP-mRNA systems incorporating bilayer-forming lipids. By optimizing lipid composition and structure, the work demonstrates enhanced circulation time and extrahepatic transfection efficiency, offering a promising strategy for expanding mRNA delivery beyond the liver.
Source: Nature Communications volume 16, Article number: 4135 (2025)
Proton-Sensing Mechanism Regulates mRNA for More Therapeutic Options
Researchers from the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in South Korea have identified cellular factors that regulate the delivery and stability of mRNA via a pH-dependent surveillance system to expand the potential of mRNA therapeutics.
Source: Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), Credit: Tumeggy / Science Photo Library / Getty Images