RNActive®
RNActive®-derived molecules are based on messenger RNA (mRNA), a nucleic acid molecule related to DNA that is found in all forms of life. However, while DNA comprises two nucleotide strands forming the twisted double helix, RNA is usually a single-stranded molecule. Therefore RNA is a rather unstable biomolecule and is rapidly digested in the human body.
As a result, its potential role as a therapeutic was overlooked for decades - despite its central role to physically transfer genetic information from the nucleus to the cellular protein production machinery, which then translates the mRNA-encoded information into proteins.
CureVac has demonstrated it is possible to modify mRNA making it suitable for therapeutic purposes while maintaining its physiological properties.
The RNActive® technology platform delivers modified and formulated mRNA molecules with enhanced translational potency. The company has shown that RNActive®-derived molecules coding for antigens are able to generate a strong immune response in animals by simply injecting it under the skin. The body reacts to the antigen-encoding mRNA by producing specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antibodies.
Numerous experiments have demonstrated that injected RNActive®-derived mRNA is taken up by cells in an active form and translated into proteins. Also, the immunogenic properties of RNActive®-derived molecules have been analyzed in detail.
Besides its versatility, CureVac believes that RNActive®-derived mRNA has considerable advantages over DNA-based vaccines. RNActive®-derived molecules have a controllable half-life and can be completely degraded. They are not integrated into the genome, and there is no risk of uncontrolled recombination with genomic DNA as with viral vectors. In addition, there is no induction of auto-antibodies - and in contrast to RNA interference, RNActive®-derived mRNA does not interfere with physiological translation.
In addition, CureVac has found a way to produce RNActive®-derived mRNA in large amounts and very high purity using the PUREmessenger® technology. Manufacturing can be set up within months.
