Title:Perspectives and Prospects on mRNA Vaccine Development for
COVID-19
Volume: 29
Issue: 23
Author(s): Lihui Jin, Zhenyuan Han, Pengjun Zhao*Kun Sun*
Affiliation:
- Pediatric Heart Center, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
200092, China
- Pediatric Heart Center, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai
200092, China
Keywords:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), SARS-CoV-2, mRNA vaccine, chemical modifications, mRNA- 1273, BNT162b2.
Abstract:
Background: The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic,
since first reported in Wuhan, has inspired worldwide efforts to develop effective
COVID-19 vaccination strategies. mRNA vaccines encoding COVID-19 antigens have
emerged prominantlyin this global race due to their high effectiveness and simple manufacturing
process. Notably, two COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2,
have survived in clinical trials and been authorized for emergency use across
variouscountries.
Summary: Recent advances on mRNA vaccine development for COVID-19 are discussed
in this perspective, including sequence design, chemical modification, manufacturing
process, and in vivo delivery. Phase I to IV clinical trials of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2
are then summarized, respectively.
Conclusion: Using mRNA vaccines is a promising strategy to achieve mass vaccination
in the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that future studies of mRNA vaccine technology
will overcome existing limitations and help people cope with COVID-19.
