the health strategist
institute for strategic health transformation
& digital technology
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
November 20, 2023
One page summary
What is the message?
The groundbreaking mRNA research of Nobel laureates Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó has revolutionized medicine, particularly evident in the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
In an exclusive interview, Weissman shared seven key insights into the future of mRNA breakthroughs, emphasizing the diverse applications beyond vaccines.
What are the key points?
RNA Leading Vaccine Development:
- Weissman highlights RNA’s pivotal role in developing vaccines for challenging diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, TB, and malaria.
- Acknowledges the continued relevance of established technologies for common diseases, like the MMR vaccine.
Momentum in mRNA Therapies:
- mRNA therapies extend beyond vaccines to address genetic, autoimmune, and cancer-related diseases.
- Weissman’s work focuses on enabling the body to tolerate lab-made mRNA, paving the way for potentially curative therapies.
Targeted Delivery for Gene Therapy:
- Weissman addresses the importance of targeted delivery for gene therapy, moving beyond liver-focused lipid nanoparticles.
- Describes successful targeting of bone marrow stem cells and collaborations for novel approaches, including curing sickle cell disease.
Challenges in CAR T-Cell Therapy:
- Emphasizes the need for faster, easier, and cheaper CAR T-cell therapy, exploring in vivo engineering to make it more accessible.
- Discusses ongoing efforts to tackle the challenge of making CAR T-cell therapies effective against solid tumors.
Development of New Vaccines:
- Weissman’s lab is actively involved in clinical trials for HIV vaccines, universal influenza vaccines, and a pan-coronavirus vaccine.
- Highlights the breadth of applications, including the development of personalized cancer vaccines.
Personalized Cancer Vaccines on the Horizon:
- Foresees the imminent development of personalized cancer vaccines, with several already in clinical trials showing efficacy for various cancer types.
Massive Growth in mRNA Approaches:
- Cites close to 1,000 approaches in development for new vaccines and therapies utilizing mRNA, reflecting the transformative impact of Weissman and Karikó’s breakthrough.
- An example is Capstan Therapeutics, co-founded by Weissman, focusing on off-the-shelf, targeted delivery of RNA.
Statistics
- Clinical Trials: Weissman’s lab has multiple vaccines in clinical trials, including HIV, universal influenza, and a pan-coronavirus vaccine.
- mRNA Approaches: Close to 1,000 approaches in development for new vaccines and therapies utilizing mRNA.
Examples
- Targeted Delivery Success: Weissman’s recent success in targeting repopulating bone marrow stem cells with high efficiency for gene editing.
- In Vivo CAR T-Cell Therapy: Ongoing efforts to develop in vivo CAR T-cell therapies, with the potential for clinical trials within a year or two.
Conclusion
Drew Weissman’s insights unveil a future where mRNA’s transformative potential extends far beyond vaccines, ushering in a new era of targeted therapies and personalized medicine.
His visionary outlook underscores the profound impact of mRNA research on the landscape of human health.
DEEP DIVE
This summary was written based on the article “Nobel Winner Drew Weissman Shares 7 Insights On Future mRNA Breakthroughs”, published by Forbes and written by Juergen Eckhardt on November 16, 2o23.
To read the original publication, click here.
