The Nobel Prize awarded to pioneers of mRNA vaccines

In 2020, the emerging threat to humanity posed by the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic called for accelerated development of vaccines at unprecedented speeds. While far less proven than traditional vaccines, recombinant vaccines were, at the time, the only option to quickly manufacture shots that could generate protection against the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Options included genetically engineered viral vectors and the yet unproven messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, which, in the end, became the favored choice. This transformative technology is based on delivery of in-vitro-transcribed mRNA that encodes the target pathogen antigen and is packaged in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). 1 Szabó G.T. Mahiny A.J. Vlatkovic I. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines: Platforms and current developments. Mol. Ther. 2022; 30: 1850-1868https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.02.016 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (68) Google Scholar ,2 Cai C. Peng Y. Shen E. Huang Q. Chen Y. Liu P. Guo C. Feng Z. Gao L. Zhang X. et al. A comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Mol. Ther. 2021; 29: 2794-2805https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.001 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (85) Google Scholar The discoveries and pioneering work of Drs. Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, recipients of this year's Nobel Prize in Medicine, enabled the development of mRNA vaccines. 3 The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023 NobelPrize.Org. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/press-release/. Google Scholar The ingenuity, determination, and close collaboration of these two scientists ultimately paved the way to a plug-and-play platform that enables rapid manufacturing of effective new vaccines while avoiding risks associated with inactivated pathogens.