Breaking the mold with RNA—a “RNAissance” of life science

Breaking the mold with RNA—a “RNAissance” of life science

2024 | Charles H. Jones, John R. Androsavich, Nina So, Matthew P. Jenkins, Derek MacCormack, Andrew Prigodich, Verna Welch, Jane M. True, and Mikael Dolsten
RNA-based therapeutics have evolved from a promising concept to a major frontier in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, entering what many call a "RNAissance." This renaissance is driven by advances in genetic engineering and delivery systems, enabling more ambitious development efforts. However, the rapid pace of progress requires a new approach to fully realize the potential of RNA-based therapies. This article provides a forward-looking perspective on RNA medical products (RMPs), highlighting potential long-term innovations and policy shifts enabled by this revolutionary technology. RNA's unique ability to target any gene in the genome, including non-coding RNA, makes it a powerful tool for drug development. Unlike conventional drugs that target protein active sites, RNA-based therapies can target genes directly, offering a broader range of therapeutic applications. The production of RNA-based therapies is flexible and fast, with sequence editing often as simple as inputting a new sequence into software connected to a synthesizer. These attributes position RNA-based platforms as "programmable drugs," alongside gene-modified cell therapies and DNA-based gene therapies. The development of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the potential of RNA technology. Despite initial challenges with mRNA's instability and high production costs, scientific breakthroughs in mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) enabled significant progress in delivery, manufacturing, safety, and synthetic modification. These advancements positioned mRNA technology to showcase its capabilities in combating infectious diseases. The RNA landscape is expanding, with new RNA drug candidates under development. Advances in RNA sequence design and structure are crucial for the continued growth of RNA technology. RNA-based therapies are being developed for a wide range of applications, including vaccines, gene editing, and targeted therapies. The versatility of RNA platforms allows for the development of complex future applications, such as monoclonal antibody expression, multivalent vaccines, and multifactor complexes. The manufacturing of RNA-based therapeutics is also evolving, with increased capacity and the potential for local production in specific geographic regions. The flexibility of RNA platforms allows for rapid adaptation to new pathogens and efficient production processes. However, standardization of production and control methods remains a challenge. The regulatory landscape for RNA-based drugs is actively shaped by agencies such as the FDA and EMA. Guidance is being developed for various RNA classes, with specific guidance for ASOs and other RNA-based therapies. The commercial models for RNA-based therapies are also evolving, with potential for novel commercial possibilities due to the flexibility of the RNA platform. The future of RNA-based therapies is promising, with the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare.RNA-based therapeutics have evolved from a promising concept to a major frontier in healthcare and pharmaceuticals, entering what many call a "RNAissance." This renaissance is driven by advances in genetic engineering and delivery systems, enabling more ambitious development efforts. However, the rapid pace of progress requires a new approach to fully realize the potential of RNA-based therapies. This article provides a forward-looking perspective on RNA medical products (RMPs), highlighting potential long-term innovations and policy shifts enabled by this revolutionary technology. RNA's unique ability to target any gene in the genome, including non-coding RNA, makes it a powerful tool for drug development. Unlike conventional drugs that target protein active sites, RNA-based therapies can target genes directly, offering a broader range of therapeutic applications. The production of RNA-based therapies is flexible and fast, with sequence editing often as simple as inputting a new sequence into software connected to a synthesizer. These attributes position RNA-based platforms as "programmable drugs," alongside gene-modified cell therapies and DNA-based gene therapies. The development of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the potential of RNA technology. Despite initial challenges with mRNA's instability and high production costs, scientific breakthroughs in mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) enabled significant progress in delivery, manufacturing, safety, and synthetic modification. These advancements positioned mRNA technology to showcase its capabilities in combating infectious diseases. The RNA landscape is expanding, with new RNA drug candidates under development. Advances in RNA sequence design and structure are crucial for the continued growth of RNA technology. RNA-based therapies are being developed for a wide range of applications, including vaccines, gene editing, and targeted therapies. The versatility of RNA platforms allows for the development of complex future applications, such as monoclonal antibody expression, multivalent vaccines, and multifactor complexes. The manufacturing of RNA-based therapeutics is also evolving, with increased capacity and the potential for local production in specific geographic regions. The flexibility of RNA platforms allows for rapid adaptation to new pathogens and efficient production processes. However, standardization of production and control methods remains a challenge. The regulatory landscape for RNA-based drugs is actively shaped by agencies such as the FDA and EMA. Guidance is being developed for various RNA classes, with specific guidance for ASOs and other RNA-based therapies. The commercial models for RNA-based therapies are also evolving, with potential for novel commercial possibilities due to the flexibility of the RNA platform. The future of RNA-based therapies is promising, with the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare.
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