IntronBio Secures US Patent for mRNA Vaccine Platform... Acquires Core Technology for Next-Generation Vaccines

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Intronbio announced on the 15th that it has filed a U.S. patent application related to its mRNA vaccine platform technology, the ‘mRNA mucosal vaccine technology.’

The patented technology pertains to mRNA mucosal vaccines and is related to enhancing the efficacy of mucosal vaccines. It is a platform technology that maximizes the efficiency of mucosal vaccines developed by applying the bacteriophage display technique using bacteriophages.

Kang Sanghyun, head of Intronbio’s Biotechnology Research Institute, explained, "The mRNA mucosal vaccine patent technology can be utilized for mRNA vaccines aimed at preventing viral diseases," adding, "It can also be developed into various mRNA-based pharmaceutical technologies, making it applicable for subsequent pipeline developments such as anticancer drug development, allergy treatment development, and aging-related drug development."

mRNA vaccine technology has emerged as a valuable field during the COVID-19 pandemic. mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines have advantages over traditional vaccines in terms of rapid development and industrial-scale mass production. mRNA technology can be used not only for vaccines aimed at preventing infectious diseases but also for treating intractable diseases such as cancer. Major fields where mRNA technology can be applied include immunotherapy, protein-replacement therapy, and regenerative medicine.

Using the mRNA mucosal vaccine patent technology, Intronbio is currently reviewing the potential for developing COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in the short term. The company plans to seek partnerships with domestic and overseas companies for full-scale vaccine development.

Research Institute Director Kang Sanghyun stated, "For latecomers who need to look 2 to 3 years ahead in the COVID-19 field, securing highly competitive foundational vaccine technology was crucial," and added, "It was necessary to develop technology that allows mucosal administration rather than the injection form targeted by all existing companies." He further noted, "Confirming that development is possible through the bacteriophage display technique will be an important milestone in securing new foundational technology."

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna used during the pandemic are administered via intramuscular injection. Intronbio’s mRNA mucosal vaccine technology, as a next-generation vaccine technology, is introduced as a vaccine platform technology that can be developed in forms such as nasal administration (nasal vaccine) or oral administration (oral vaccine).

Mucosal vaccines have the advantage of providing not only systemic immunity but also mucosal immunity, which can double the vaccine effect compared to existing vaccines in preventing viral infections through the respiratory tract.

Yoon Kyungwon, CEO of Intronbio, said, "Based on the patented technology, we will promote various collaborations with domestic and international mRNA vaccine development companies."

He emphasized, "The mRNA mucosal vaccine platform technology secured by utilizing the Phagerus® technology for viral disease response and the Phageriarus® technology, which takes an immunological approach in anticancer drug development, will contribute to Intronbio’s ‘Innovative innovation.’"