Addressing And Adapting To Evolving mRNA Market Trends

Pierre Catignol and Huisub Lim of Samsung Biologics share their insights on current mRNA market trends, manufacturability, choosing an appropriate CDMO partner, and mRNA technology considerations.

The market for mRNA is expected to grow steadily in coming years, primarily because mRNA can create therapeutics based on a novel mechanism of action (MoA) for applications that cannot be targeted by existing antibody platforms (e.g., gene editing, targeting of intracellular protein or pathogens, etc.). mRNA technology also is conducive to highly specific molecular designs and functionalities, giving it the potential to achieve greater efficacy than traditional drugs by addressing the underlying causes of disease.

However, mRNA has many unexplored elements requiring additional study. In addition to being complex to manufacture, mRNA products can be costly to produce. Dose optimization continues to be challenging, as well.

mRNA can be produced more rapidly by cell-free processes than other biological drugs, and it is readily standardized and scaled up, improving drug developer/manufacturer responsiveness to emerging outbreaks. But, not many CDMOs offer the high-volume capacity to manufacture mRNA products.

Samsung Biologics has invested in this capacity because we know mRNA is an expanding field in both prominence and opportunity. Among a CDMO’s most important responsibilities are constant vigilance and preparedness, the ability to read market needs of the market, and to be ready to fulfill public and industry demands when required.