Sizing the therapeutic potential of mRNA

mRNA vaccine technology has been in development for over two decades. Scientists’ ability to synthetically produce genetic material with instructions for making a protein and generating an immune response has exciting implications for the development of new vaccines and treatments. The ‘platform technology’ could hold the key to fixing some of the world’s health problems. The technology is safe, and it can be developed and scaled rapidly, with potentially transformative implications for human health. The technology could be used in immunotherapy to treat cancers and chronic infectious diseases – like HIV, hepatitis B and herpes – as well as autoimmune disorders and even for gene therapy. Its success in tackling a viral infection like Covid-19 means future pandemics could be prevented or managed faster by an mRNA response.

Who’s In Our Film?

Leanne

Leanne’s grandad died from cancer. She knows that today’s breakthrough science could have given him a second chance at life. Her work in a GP’s office during Covid-19 gives her a professional insight into how innovation can change the world for the better.

Deirdre

Deirdre and her team at Pfizer’s Grange Castle site in Dublin are dedicated to realising the promise of mRNA. The “platform technology” could be used in immunotherapy to treat cancers and chronic infectious diseases – like HIV, hepatitis B and herpes – as well as autoimmune disorders and even for gene therapy.

Orlaith

With its effectiveness proven in the fight against Covid-19, Pfizer is exploring other potential clinical applications of mRNA. Grange Castle, Pfizer’s Dublin manufacturing operation where Orlaith is based, is among the few global sites to be part of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine production cycle.

Sheila

Innovations in medicines meant that Sheila survived cancer. Without access to a clinical trial, she may not be here today. Sheila’s hope for the future is that innovation in medicines continue at the same rate so that she’s not the exception and that other cancer patients can have endings as happy as hers.

Richard

Richard is a registered nurse specialising in paediatric care. His experience in radiology gave him practical insight into the importance of innovation in the treatment of cancer. He sees every day the importance of vaccination in the fight against Covid-19.

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