The BSI recently brought together a group of expert stakeholders from academia, industry, clinical practice, funding bodies and government, to examine how these sectors can work together to promote collaboration and drive forward mRNA technologies in the UK. Here, Ben Wilcock, the BSI’s Programme Manager (Research), describes the outcomes of this meeting, which was held at the Royal Society in London.
Supported by an Educational Grant from Moderna, this meeting was part of a wider programme of mRNA-focused research delivered by the BSI, including two webinars delivered to BSI members earlier this year.
The meeting was chaired by Professor Colin Dayan (Cardiff University), and our invited speakers were Dr Katrina Pollock (University of Oxford), Dr Satwik Kar (Moderna), Professor Lorna Harries (University of Exeter) and Dr Lennard Lee (University of Oxford). Each gave an in-depth summary of their respective work in the field of mRNA, after which attendees took part in breakout group discussions to address the opportunities and challenges of developing mRNA technologies in the UK.
mRNA technologies are an exciting aspect of immunology, with immense potential to revolutionise treatments for infectious diseases, cancers, autoimmune disorders, and more. The speed, precision and adaptability of mRNA offers unprecedented opportunities for personalised medicine and rapid response to emerging health threats. To fully realise these benefits, it is crucial for all sectors – from healthcare providers and researchers to industry leaders and policymakers – to collaborate closely. By working together, we can ensure that the advancements in mRNA technology reach and benefit the widest possible population, improving health outcomes and transforming lives across the UK and beyond. - Doug Brown, CEO of the British Society for Immunology
What is mRNA?
mRNA, or messenger RNA, is a type of genetic material that plays a crucial role in the production of proteins, which are essential for cell function. It acts as a messenger by carrying instructions from DNA in the cell nucleus to ribosomes, where proteins are made. In recent years, mRNA has gained attention for its use in vaccines, including for COVID-19. Such vaccines use synthetic mRNA to instruct cells to produce a protein that triggers an immune response, teaching the body to recognise and fight the actual virus. This innovative approach is a powerful tool for the development of new immune therapies and for combating diseases including viruses, autoimmune conditions and cancer.
A raft of potential applications
Discussions during our meeting highlighted the potential of mRNA technologies to revolutionise treatments for conditions affecting the immune system. The success of COVID-19 vaccines has demonstrated the broad applicability of mRNA in the UK, particularly for infectious diseases, rare cancers, autoimmune disorders, paediatric illnesses and seasonal vaccines. Unlike traditional protein-based treatments, mRNA’s ability to rapidly respond to emerging diseases and conditions allows it to respond to genetic mutations and facilitate the creation of necessary proteins to combat immune threats. This makes it a game-changing therapy.
Among the most promising areas for mRNA application is vaccine development, particularly for respiratory illnesses, cancers and human papillomavirus (HPV). The flexibility of mRNA supports both preventive and therapeutic uses, with a primary focus on infectious diseases and various cancers. This technology also holds immense potential for personalised treatments tailored to individuals based on race, age and sex, which could significantly improve healthcare outcomes.
Although the science behind cancer vaccines is progressing rapidly, progress towards full implementation is slow. Nonetheless, mRNA shows substantial promise for use in combating cancer, both preventively and therapeutically. In diseases like arthritis, it can be used as a cost-effective means of creating proteins in situ. What’s more, replacement proteins produced by mRNA may offer breakthroughs for degenerative conditions.
The attendees of our meeting agreed that mRNA technologies offer a transformative approach to immunological treatments, with promising applications in vaccine development, cancer treatment and personalised medicine. Their rapid adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and favourable patient perception make them a compelling alternative to traditional therapies and gene therapy. However, there are currently significant challenges to large-scale development and application of mRNA technologies that need to be addressed if we are to reap maximum benefit from them.
Navigating challenges
Successful implementation of mRNA technologies means reaching as many people as possible and having a widespread geographic impact. Currently, however, there is significant regional inequity across the UK in terms of access to specialists and resources. Substantial infrastructure and investment are needed to bring mRNA technologies to market across the UK. In addition to funding and investment in pathways that facilitate development and implementation of mRNA on a national scale, attendees suggested that recruiting patients to UK-wide trials could help combat regional inequalities.
Another challenge identified during the meeting was the shortcomings of standard measures to determine patient characteristics and related treatment. For instance, while body size may impact treatment efficacy, there is clear evidence that the practice of tailoring treatment dosage by BMI and body shape alone is ineffective. One advantage of mRNA is that it can be personalised to the needs of the patient, but we need to ensure that the measures used to categorise patients’ needs are thoroughly considered, and that we do not solely rely on standard measures in creating personalised treatments. While this challenge is not unique to the development and application of mRNA technologies alone, it is something that needs to be addressed and navigated.
Effective collaboration
Researchers, clinicians, industry representatives, policymakers and funders alike were positive about working together, and felt that collaboration could be enhanced by fostering a culture of openness and reducing competition and unnecessary bureaucracy. Joint funding structures and cohesive funding frameworks, such as single contracts and streamlined regulatory processes, were seen to be particularly important. Establishing pre-competitive spaces where questions can be explored jointly would promote a unified vision and purpose, and valuable lessons can be learned from overseas (such as in the US, where collaboration is generally more common) to help identify and overcome specific barriers in the UK.
Engaging experienced clinical trial units and securing public buy-in through patient engagement are also crucial. Specific solutions identified to tackle these challenges were ring-fenced funding, shared lab spaces, and secondments to facilitate knowledge exchange, and attendees also suggested that co-locating staff from spin-outs and academic teams strengthens partnerships and increases efficacy on both sides. It was also noted that collaboration between researchers and industry should take place as early as possible, preferably during drug development and clinical trials, and well before any treatment goes to market. Collaboration at this stage could have a significant positive impact on the speed at which treatments can be made available to patients.
This meeting and the associated webinars have underlined the immense potential of mRNA technologies and the importance of cross-sector collaboration in realising their full benefits. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all contributors for their invaluable insights and expertise, and to the members of the organising committee for their support in planning and delivering this event. Our gratitude also goes to Moderna for their generous Educational Grant, which made this meeting and the associated webinars possible. Lastly, we thank all attendees for their active participation and engagement.
The discussions have highlighted the need for a culture of openness, cohesive funding frameworks and streamlined regulatory processes to overcome existing barriers. By fostering a shared vision and purpose, we can create an environment where innovation thrives and public health outcomes are significantly improved. It is abundantly clear that the success of mRNA technologies in transforming healthcare depends on an unerring commitment to working together.
Ben Wilcock, BSI Programme Manager (Research)
The activities associated with this project are made possible through an educational grant provided by Moderna. Moderna has not directed or influenced the content of the project or any of its activities.