CEPI has secured funding from Gennova Biopharmaceuticals in Pune to accelerate the development of self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine candidates targeting 'Disease X' pathogenic risks.

Subsequently, Gennova Biopharmaceuticals will produce a vaccine candidate against the rabies virus, which belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family of viruses, for preclinical studies. CEPI stated that testing the vaccine candidate against this known virus, using accepted correlates of protection, will help evaluate the concepts underlying this innovative technology.

"Advances in RNA-vaccine technology were critical to the global response to COVID-19 and will be crucial for future epidemic and pandemic responses."

Access to Technology

Dr Melanie Saville, Executive Director of Vaccine R&D, in a statement said -

"To make sure the world has access to such technology quickly and equitably the next time Disease X strikes, CEPI is supporting novel RNA vaccine technologies."

In saRNA vaccine development, researchers integrate genetic information from a specific group of viruses into the saRNA, along with the target antigen. This genetic information then instructs the host cell to produce numerous copies of the saRNA, a phenomenon termed self-amplification. What sets Gennova's saRNA technology apart is the CLNE delivery system.

Gennova's CLNE system connects RNA molecules to fatty molecules, creating a nanoemulsion, enabling scalable manufacturing of potential vaccine candidates and seamless transfer between manufacturers. This innovative approach enables seamless transfer of vaccines.

Notably, Gennova's success in developing two mRNA-based vaccines for COVID-19, which received emergency use approval in India, serves as validation for this platform technology.