Pamicell Registers as New Supplier of mRNA Vaccine Raw Materials for Merck & CIE

Pharmicell announced on the 25th that it is in the process of registering as a supplier to the global pharmaceutical company Merck&Cie for mPEG-OH, a raw material used in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that serve as delivery agents for mRNA vaccines in the body.

The use of mRNA vaccines increased following the success of their development during the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a crucial role in addressing the global crisis. Lipid nanoparticles are used to effectively deliver mRNA vaccines into the body. LNPs act like a membrane that encases the mRNA vaccine, overcoming innate immune responses and RNA instability when the vaccine is injected into the body. They serve as carriers that safely transport mRNA to target tissues and cells. LNPs are mainly composed of ionizable lipids (phospholipids), cholesterol, and PEG lipids (polyethylene glycol lipids). PEG lipids help the lipid nanoparticles remain in the body for an extended period after being safely delivered into cells.

A Pharmicell representative stated, “Over the past 20 years, we have developed various mPEG derivative manufacturing technologies and have continuously supplied them to multinational pharmaceutical companies such as UCB and Nektar, as well as domestic vaccine developers. We expect sales of the mPEG product line, which is likely to be used in mRNA-based vaccines, to increase after the completion of the new supplier registration.”

They added, "Through ongoing collaboration with global pharmaceutical companies and expansion into new business areas, we plan to further strengthen our position in the mRNA vaccine market."

Pharmicell has signed a raw pharmaceutical material business cooperation agreement with Merck&Cie regarding mPEG. Merck is jointly developing mRNA-based cancer vaccines, including blockbuster-level immuno-oncology drugs, with Moderna. For several years, Merck has also been supplying RNA for mRNA therapeutic products.