mRNA-based vaccine targeting infectious disease pathogens.
The four vaccine candidates to be studied each represent different mRNA formats and target antigens. Two of the four vaccine candidates include a nucleoside modified mRNA (modRNA), one includes a uridine containing mRNA (uRNA) and the fourth vaccine candidate utilises self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA).
Each mRNA format is combined with a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation. The larger Spike sequence is included in two of the vaccine candidates and the smaller optimised receptor binding domain (RBD) from the Spike protein is included in the other two candidates.
The RBD-based candidates contain the piece of the spike that is thought to be most important for eliciting antibodies that can inactivate the virus.
Venkatesh Pooladanda, Sowjanya Thatikonda, Chandraiah Godugu. The current understanding and potential therapeutic options to combat COVID-19. Life Sciences. 8 May 2020, 117765. DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117765.