Moderna and the BioNTech-Pfizer duo became heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccines that saved millions of lives and generated billions in revenue while also validating mRNA technology on a global scale.
But as sales and political support for mRNA vaccines waver, market leaders now vie for dominance in mRNA’s next act — therapeutics. However, pivoting from vaccines to treatments for cancer, cardiovascular disease and rare conditions requires a different playbook, and the household names in mRNA aren’t necessarily a lock for market dominance in this new landscape.
The pandemic accelerated mRNA technology for vaccines, said Jake Becraft, the CEO of Strand Therapeutics. But not necessarily for other uses.
“It really didn’t do anything to push forward the timeline of mRNA therapeutics,” he added. Drug developers are still working to overcome technical hurdles.