LaScaRNA - Large Scale Production of mRNA for Therapeutic Applications
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Region Stockholm - Karolinska Centrum för Cellterapi |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 5 000 000 |
| Project duration | February 2022 - December 2025 |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Venture | Next-Generation Biologics 5 |
| Call | New and improved biological drugs in healthcare |
Purpose and goal
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the power of gene transfer in fighting human disease. In particular, the mRNA gene transfer technology has shown that new therapeutic strategies can be rapidly developed and translated into clinical use. The LaScaRNA project aims at developing and establishing mRNA production in Sweden.
Expected effects and result
The establishment of mRNA manufacturing technology will give developers in Sweden access to materials and infrastructure to conduct preclinical research, conduct clinical trials and manufacture on a commercial scale.
Planned approach and implementation
The project partners will work together to establish mRNA production at three level and facilities, i) research grade at the pre-GMP facility at Karolinska Institutet, ii) pilot scale at Vecura at Karolinska University Hospital, and iii) large-scale at NorthX Biologics. In addition, Cytiva develops new technology platforms for purification and seeks optimizing the workflow for large scale purifications. Testa Center participates as a hub for evaluation of purification methods, and Svenska Vaccinfabriken provides the IP for the genes used for evaluating the produced mRNA.