Overview

• A study published June 3 in npj Vaccines demonstrates that the trans-amplifying mRNA approach requires 40 times less mRNA than conventional vaccines while maintaining potency.
• In mice, the vaccine elicited robust neutralizing antibodies against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants and reduced Omicron viral loads in lung tissue by over tenfold.
• The platform’s split design separates the replicase enzyme and antigen mRNA, allowing premanufacture of replicase to accelerate response to emerging pathogens.
• Researchers used bioinformatics to craft a consensus spike protein from known variants, aiming for broad protection without frequent antigen updates.
• The candidate remains in preclinical testing, and human safety and efficacy trials will be needed before it can advance toward licensure.