mRNA Vaccine Platforms
Uncovering technologies to unlock global-scale, thermostable self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccines for rapid response to emerging pathogens.
Client
Multinational Vaccine Alliance
Objective
Overcome Supply & Cold-Chain Hurdles
Timeline
10-Week Sprint
Key Focus
Thermostability & Scalability
The Challenge: Three Intertwined Bottlenecks
Self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccines are ideal for rapid pandemic response, yet three bottlenecks impede their global deployment and equitable distribution.
LNP Supply-Chain Constraints
The industrial supply of critical ionisable lipids, PEG-lipids, and high-purity cholesterol depends on a very limited number of specialized manufacturers.
Ultra-Cold Logistics
Many LNP formulations require storage at $-20$ to $-80$ °C, a major barrier to distribution in regions with limited cold-chain infrastructure.
Public & Regulatory Scrutiny
Booster frequency can fuel public hesitancy, while regulators demand robust "correlates of protection" as viral variants constantly evolve.
Key Outcomes: A Roadmap to Thermostable Vaccines
Our 10-week sprint identified and scored innovative excipients, carriers, and analytical platforms to overcome the core hurdles.
10 Priority Solutions
Spanning novel biodegradable ionisable lipids, solid-nanodispersion sa-mRNA tablets, and thermostable spray-dried LNP powders.
Supply-Chain Stress-Test Model
Demonstrated how dual-sourcing two new lipid families could cut lead-time risk by 50% under pandemic-scale demand.
Three Scalable CMOs
Identified three contract manufacturers capable of a 5x scale-up in ionisable-lipid production by 2026.
Advanced Analytics Platform
Introduced a platform linking sa-mRNA expression kinetics with antibody titres, offering a clear path to accepted correlates of protection for regulators.
Strategic Impact
"The client initiated negotiations with a lipid-polymer startup for a room-temperature-stable nanoparticle and funded a pilot lyophilisation line. This roadmap advances variant-agile sa-mRNA vaccines that travel without ultra-cold freezers, de-risking supply and expanding global access."