The messenger RNA (mRNA) platform has entered its second major test since proving its effectiveness with COVID-19 vaccines. Building on the success of COVID-19 vaccines, the platform is now expanding into new areas, including seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, and treatments for cancer and rare diseases. The bio industry is at a turning point, seeking new growth drivers in the post-COVID era through the evolution of the mRNA platform.
According to a report by global market research firm Vision Research Report, the global mRNA vaccine and treatment market is expected to grow from $10.66 billion in 2024 to $45.04 billion by 2034, reflecting an annual growth rate of 15.5%. Within this, the mRNA cancer vaccine market is projected to nearly double, increasing from $8.1 billion to $15.7 billion during the same period.
This growth indicates that mRNA technology is creating new markets by extending beyond simple preventive vaccines into therapeutic areas. An industry insider noted, "While there were predictions that the mRNA vaccine market might experience a temporary slowdown after the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears that growth will be sustained through the expansion of new indications such as flu, RSV, and cancer vaccines."
The expansion of mRNA into new areas is driven by the structural limitations of traditional egg-based cultivation methods. Producing a single vaccine using egg culture typically takes 5 to 6 months, during which time the virus may mutate, reducing the vaccine's effectiveness. In contrast, mRNA can be designed within weeks once the genetic information of the pathogen is obtained, providing a speed advantage in responding to mutations.
Leveraging these advantages, the mRNA platform is moving beyond preventive vaccines into therapeutic applications. Recent developments in personalized cancer vaccines and treatments for rare diseases are rapidly broadening its medical applications.
There is growing optimism in the market that the era of designing personalized cancer vaccines based on patients' genetic information is becoming a reality. U.S. companies Moderna and Merck (MSD) have reported significant treatment effects in a Phase 3 clinical trial for melanoma patients using their cancer vaccine "Intismeran Autogen" in combination with the immunotherapy "Keytruda," compared to Keytruda alone. This marks the first time mRNA-based treatments have demonstrated efficacy in the oncology field, extending beyond infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Global pharmaceutical and biotech companies are expanding the application of cancer vaccines to more prevalent cancers, such as lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancers, suggesting a shift in the paradigm of cancer drug development.
Jung Yoon-taek, head of the Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy Research Institute, stated, "The combination of mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) is expected to extend the platform's applicability to various cancer types as well as infectious diseases. It is also encouraging that the South Korean government has allocated 40.5 billion won for mRNA-related budgets. Such national-level investments to proactively respond to future infectious diseases are likely to increase."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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