mRNA Technologies: Vaccines vs Therapeutics

Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology surged into the global spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing its power to rapidly deliver effective vaccines. But the potential of mRNA goes far beyond preventing infectious diseases. Today, this transformative platform is also shaping the future of personalized medicine, opening new possibilities in oncology, rare genetic disorders, and beyond.

Though mRNA vaccines and mRNA therapeutics stem from the same foundational science, their applications diverge significantly. At Curapath, we recognize that moving an mRNA product from concept to clinic requires more than innovative science, it demands scalable, flexible, and regulatory-compliant manufacturing tailored to the unique demands of each use case.

Let’s explore how these two paths, vaccines and therapeutics, start from a common core, yet branch out with distinct goals, development challenges, and manufacturing strategies.

Shared Ground, Diverging Goals

Whether used to prevent disease or to treat it, all mRNA-based products share a common scientific backbone. Regardless of their final application, these molecules are typically built around four key pillars:

• In vitro transcription (IVT): This enzymatic process synthesizes mRNA from a DNA template, enabling precise control over sequence and structure.

• Nucleoside modifications: Chemical modifications, such as pseudouridine or N1-methylpseudouridine, are often incorporated to increase mRNA stability, enhance protein translation, and reduce innate immune activation.

• Purification: Sophisticated purification techniques remove impurities, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which can trigger strong immune responses and compromise efficacy.

• Delivery systems: mRNA is inherently unstable and vulnerable to degradation, requiring encapsulation for protection and effective cellular uptake. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and Viral Vector like AAV or LVV are the most widely used and clinically validated delivery platform, particularly for hepatic delivery. However, other vectors are gaining traction, including polymer-based nanoparticles, lipid–polymer hybrids, exosomes, and peptide-based carriers. These alternatives aim to improve targeting, reduce toxicity, and expand the range of tissues and indications that can be addressed.

The end-use of the mRNA product, vaccine or therapeutic, shapes its design and delivery strategy:

• mRNA Vaccines do not contain antigenic proteins themselves. Instead, they deliver genetic instructions (mRNA) that prompt the recipient’s own cells to produce a specific antigen, such as a viral protein. This internally produced antigen is then recognized by the immune system, triggering an adaptive immune response and forming immunological memory. This approach enables rapid response to emerging pathogens and is highly adaptable.

• mRNA Therapeutics, on the other hand, are developed to treat existing conditions. These molecules may instruct cells to produce therapeutic proteins, compensate for genetic defects, or modulate immune responses. Applications range from enzyme replacement in rare diseases to immune activation in cancer. Unlike vaccines, therapeutic mRNAs often require repeat dosing, precise expression control, and targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells.

While both modalities are grounded in the same foundational science, their translation into clinical use involves distinct goals, development challenges, and manufacturing strategies.

Two Platforms, Two Missions

mRNA Vaccines are designed to elicit strong immune responses by instructing the body’s cells to produce exogenous antigens, typically viral proteins. These are generally standardized products aimed at broad populations and require rapid scalability and global reach. As such, their manufacturing must prioritize:

• High-volume, rapid production

• Standardized and highly reproducible processes

• Robust global distribution and cold chain logistics

mRNA Therapeutics, in contrast, are developed to treat or cure diseases after onset. They cover a wide range of applications, including personalized oncology, protein replacement, and gene editing. These therapies demand precision, customization, and close regulatory oversight. Example applications include:

• Personalized cancer vaccines, tailored to a patient’s unique tumor neoantigens

• Protein replacement therapies for rare or inherited disorders

• Gene editing tools, delivering molecular machinery to correct genetic mutations in specific cells

This therapeutic focus requires manufacturing that is:

• Flexible and highly customizable
• Designed for tissue-specific and disease-specific targeting
• Aligned with rigorous regulatory standards for safety, traceability, and quality control
• Compliant with intensive regulatory requirements for safety and traceability

Comparative Overview

Manufactirung: Shared Core, Diverging Needs

While both vaccines and therapeutics follow the same foundational manufacturing workflow, In vitro transcription (IVT), purification, formulation, and fill-finish, the complexity within each step can vary significantly depending on the application:

• IVT Process: Achieving precise nucleotide ratios and optimal polymerase performance is essential to ensure consistent mRNA quality and biological activity across batches.

• Purification: The removal of immunostimulatory contaminants, such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), is critical—particularly in large-scale vaccine production where high yield and purity must be balanced.

• Formulation: mRNA must be encapsulated into for example lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) under tightly controlled, GMP-compliant conditions. In this case techniques such as microfluidic mixing (e.g., T-mixers) are often used to ensure batch-to-batch consistency, particle uniformity, and encapsulation efficiency.

Whereas vaccines benefit from high-throughput automation and standardized processes, therapeutics demand adaptability—with flexible platforms that support personalized dosing, disease-specific delivery, and enhanced traceability. This is especially true for individualized therapies, such as patient-specific cancer vaccines, where turnaround time and precision are critical.

Conclusion

mRNA technologies are redefining the frontiers of public health and personalized medicine. Yet scientific innovation is only part of the equation. True success lies in the ability to scale efficiently, comply with rigorous regulatory standards, and adapt manufacturing to each product’s unique requirements.

At Curapath, we specialize in translating breakthrough ideas into real-world treatments. With a foundation built on regulatory excellence, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and expert process development, we’re ready to help you bring your mRNA product to life.

Are you ready to scale up your mRNA product? Partner with Curapath to take the next step with confidence.

Voice of the experts 

“The platform flexibility and shared mechanisms of mRNA technologies are unwavering constants in a rapidly evolving landscape. However, upscaling and GMP-manufacturing demand distinct approaches. mRNA vaccines aim for high-output, standardized production, whereas therapeutics face the intricacies of custom development and individualized treatments.”

Juan José Arroyo, Head of Project Management office at Curapath