They were only known to experts before the corona pandemic: vaccines based on the use of mRNA. Many experts now assume that this is where the medical future lies.
From Axel John, SWR In Germany, the vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 have been running for almost four months. It seems to be becoming increasingly clear that the vaccines from the manufacturers BioNTech / Pfizer and Moderna with the new mRNA principle work best. AstraZeneca’s preparation with its gene-based vector vaccine is only given to elderly patients after a few cases of thrombosis. The Johnson & Johnson vector vaccine also had concerns long before it has now been released . Will mRNA technology dominate the market in the future?
Initially skeptical about mRNA methods
Norbert Pfeiffer can still remember the beginning of the Covid crisis in the spring of last year. The chairman of the board of the Unimedizin Mainz had quickly heard that Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin work on an mRNA vaccine against corona. Pfeiffer knows the BioNTech founders well. Türeci and Sahin had worked as cancer specialists in the clinic for years. Already there they pushed their idea of an mRNA process – albeit in the fight against cancer.
Messenger RNA Messenger RNA, or mRNA for short, is a messenger molecule that brings genetic information from the cell nucleus to the ribosomes. These are the areas of the cell in which – according to the instructions for the genetic information – proteins are formed. The vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 use mRNA to stimulate the human body to produce its own antibodies as “drugs” against the coronavirus. Vaccines based on mRNA can be developed, adapted and manufactured more quickly than conventional preparations such as vector or dead vaccines. “There was skepticism about the mRNA technology against corona. Conventional vaccinations, such as those against flu, have been administered with great success for decades. But vector vaccines, for example against Ebola or dengue fever, have also been in use for a long time many hoped again in the Corona crisis. But this assessment has completely reversed “, Pfeiffer draws an initial interim balance. “The mRNA active ingredient against Covid-19 was finished earlier. With around 95 percent, the vaccination with the BioNTech active ingredient is very effective. It is thus far above the other protection rates. That was not expected.” And even after the clinical tests, the mRNA vaccine has proven itself, said Pfeiffer. “Overall, the side effects were very moderate. At AstraZeneca with the vector vaccine, there were very rare exceptional cases of thrombosis. Even if this is a good vaccine, the mRNA vaccine performed better in many areas and made a breakthrough. ”
Norbert Pfeiffer still knows the BioNTech founders Türeci and Sahin from their work as cancer specialists at the University of Mainz. Image: Mainz University Hospital
Vector vaccines are, however, indispensable
But is this only a one-off success in the fight against Corona or will the mRNA process also establish itself in other areas? “I’ll compare that with the development of cameras,” explains Pfeiffer. “Cameras with film were very good 20 years ago. The first digital cameras were very expensive and could hardly keep up in terms of quality. Today there are hardly any cameras with film. Many companies have invested, researched, produced and competed. I suspect that in the mRNA process it could be similar. ” At present, mRNA vaccines could by far not meet the global demand with a world population of almost 7.8 billion people, says Pfeiffer. “They can produce, store and administer vector vaccines cheaply all over the world. The preparations are very robust. The mRNA process, on the other hand, is expensive, and the ingredients are very susceptible to fluctuations in the cold chain, for example. We can use them in the longer term Vector vaccines don’t do without. ”
“The world of vaccines will never be the same”
Different location, similar assessment: Matthias Kromayer works on the board of MIG AG. The former management consultant has a doctorate in molecular biology. MIG AG is currently investing in 30 start-ups – one focus: biotechnology. The company was one of the first donors at BioNTech. In 2008 the Mainz start-up received a good 13 million euros from MIG. The potential of the mRNA process was recognized early in Munich. “During the corona crisis, only one company from the pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi, Merck and Pfizer backed the right horse – namely Pfizer with BioNTech,” says Kromayer. Even before that, not much had happened in terms of research for years. The HPV vaccination against cervical cancer was the last real innovation. Vaccines have only been combined – nothing more. “Medical research has changed completely in the past year due to mRNA. The world of vaccines will never be the same again,” Kromayer is convinced. With the mRNA technology, the researchers would have a completely new approach. Every disease has a biological origin, explains Kromayer. mRNA as a messenger substance is always included in these processes, and that’s why you can start here – not only with SARS-CoV-2. Kromayer cites a current example from BioNTech: Just a few weeks ago, the company achieved the first promising results against multiple sclerosis – also using mRNA. “These are huge possibilities. The mRNA technology can also help the fastest in the fight against Corona. Should a new mutation soon appear after the British variant, you would have a new vaccine against it within 48 hours. After quality controls, the new preparation could then available after six weeks. ”
EU relies on mRNA in the long term
The subject of speed in the pandemic now also plays a major role in Brussels. After the EU Commission ordered too late and too few vaccines last year, people now seem to want to learn from their mistakes. So far, the EU has ordered 300 million cans from AstraZeneca and 200 million from Johnson & Johnson. It shouldn’t be more here, because both manufacturers offer vector vaccines.
“Only Pfizer bet on the right horse,” says MIG AG board member Matthias Kromayer. Image: MIG AG “I see no reason to saddle up again. The mRNA vaccines protect better and have fewer side effects,” explains Peter Liese. The Christian Democrat is the health policy spokesman for the EPP Group in the European Parliament. “In the long term, the main issue is how do we get the best vaccine that will protect us from further mutations in 2022? All of this speaks in favor of mRNA. The Commission should also rely on it in the long term.” This assessment fits in with the fact that the Commission only started negotiations with BioNTech / Pfizer on a third contract a few days ago. It is about 1.8 billion doses of vaccines for the years 2022 and 2023. There was no mention of other providers.
mRNA technology speeds everything up
The mRNA technology accelerates research enormously – but what does that mean for the testing authorities such as the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA)? For medical professional Pfeiffer this is clear: “The authorities have to speed up. Further Covid mutations must be expected in the short term. The mRNA principle has already been approved and will only be sharpened for a new variant.” The same applies to other diseases – such as cancer. “If an individualized therapy is only developed for one patient using mRNA, the authorities cannot check everything again. That would take far too long for successful treatment. The principle has to be checked and approved once.” In Munich, too, analyst Kromayer speaks a lot about speed. “We would never have dreamed of this rapid development. We had the hope of getting the first approved personalized cancer vaccines based on mRNA from 2024. BioNTech and Moderna were the pacemakers in the Covid crisis. Many other companies are now turning to mRNA -Technology jump and that will speed everything up again. “
You must log in to post a comment.