Why RNA technologies could help shape the future of innovation in non-communicable diseases

The COVID-19 pandemic brought mRNA vaccines into global focus, demonstrating the speed, adaptability and scalability that RNA-based approaches can offer when science, manufacturing and regulatory pathways align.

But the relevance of RNA extends well beyond infectious disease. One area where RNA could have a growing impact is non-communicable diseases.

Why focus on non-communicable diseases?

Non-communicable diseases, or NCDs, include cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. They’re long-term, complex conditions shaped by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

They also represent one of the biggest challenges in global health. According to the World Health Organization, NCDs account for approximately 74% of all deaths worldwide. In 2021, they were responsible for more than 43 million deaths globally, including around 18 million deaths in people under the age of 70.

The economic impact is also significant, with the World Economic Forum estimating that NCDs could cost the global economy $47 trillion between 2011 and 2030.

The scale of the challenge raises an important question: how can emerging therapeutic modalities be applied more effectively to long-standing health challenges?

RNA technologies are becoming a central part of that conversation.

Why RNA?

RNA-based medicines work differently from many conventional therapies. Where small molecules often target proteins, and biologics frequently act through extracellular pathways, RNA technologies can intervene earlier in the biological process: at the level of genetic information, gene expression and protein production.

This gives RNA-based approaches the potential to address disease mechanisms that may be difficult to reach with traditional modalities.

Different RNA technologies offer different mechanisms:

• mRNA can instruct cells to produce a specific protein, opening opportunities in vaccines, immunotherapies and protein replacement approaches
• siRNA can silence specific genes by targeting messenger RNA for degradation
• other oligonucleotide approaches are expanding the possibilities for targeting disease-associated pathways

For NCDs, this is particularly interesting because many of these conditions are biologically complex. They often involve multiple patient subgroups, disease pathways and genetic or molecular drivers.

RNA approaches may allow innovators to design more targeted interventions around specific genes, transcripts or pathways.

Where could RNA make an impact?

RNA-based approaches are already being explored across several NCD areas. In oncology, mRNA and other RNA technologies are being investigated for personalised cancer vaccines and immunotherapy applications. In cardiovascular disease, gene-silencing approaches are being used to target lipid metabolism and other disease-relevant pathways. In metabolic disease, RNA technologies may offer new ways to address pathways linked to diabetes, obesity and associated complications. And in chronic or genetically influenced conditions, RNA-based medicines may provide a way to reach targets that have historically been difficult to drug.

This isn’t just theoretical. Oligonucleotide-based therapies are already demonstrating clinical value in areas where small molecules and biologics have limitations. Approved siRNA and antisense medicines show that RNA-based approaches can be used to modulate disease-relevant pathways with a high degree of specificity.

But as with many advanced technologies, the challenge is not only scientific discovery. It is translation.

The translational challenge

For many RNA innovators, the key question is not only: does the biology work?

It is also: Can the RNA product be made? Can it be characterised? Can it be formulated? Can it be scaled? Can it meet the quality and regulatory expectations needed for further development?

This is where RNA development becomes technically demanding. 

Moving from an RNA concept to a clinically relevant product requires decisions around construct design, chemistry, delivery, formulation, manufacturing process, analytical characterisation, stability, scalability and regulatory readiness.

These questions become especially important in NCDs. Many treatments for long-term conditions may require repeated or chronic administration. That places greater emphasis on consistency, safety, tolerability, manufacturability, cost of goods and the ability to produce high-quality material at the right scale.

Some of the common challenges include:

• scaling RNA production while maintaining quality and reproducibility.
• developing robust analytical methods for characterisation and release.
• addressing formulation and delivery barriers, particularly beyond established tissue targets.
• generating suitable material for preclinical, clinical or translational studies.
• navigating evolving regulatory expectations for newer RNA modalities.
• accessing specialist infrastructure and expertise, particularly for SMEs, spinouts and academic groups.

These challenges don’t reduce the potential of RNA innovation. They highlight why development thinking needs to begin early.

Why early development thinking matters

In RNA therapeutics, early decisions can shape the entire development pathway.

Sequence design, chemistry, formulation choices and process parameters can all influence manufacturability, stability, yield, purity and scalability. Analytical methods also need to be developed with a clear understanding of the product’s critical quality attributes.

For innovators, this means that translation is not something that only begins once the biology has been demonstrated. It needs to sit alongside the science from the start.

For RNA innovators working on NCDs, early technical input can help answer important questions:

• Is the RNA construct suitable for scalable production?
• What are the main process risks?
• What analytical package is needed to support development?
• How should formulation and delivery be considered alongside manufacture?
• What material is required for the next stage of testing?
• What evidence is needed to move towards clinical translation?

These aren’t purely operational questions. They are central to whether RNA science can become RNA medicine.

Where CPI can support

At CPI, we work with innovators at points of technical uncertainty. For RNA technologies, this can include process development, analytical development, formulation, scale-up, material generation, GMP manufacture and preparation for technology transfer.

The aim is not simply to provide manufacturing capacity. It is to help innovators understand the development pathway for their RNA product and identify the technical risks that may slow or prevent translation.

This can be particularly valuable for SMEs, academic spinouts and early-stage biotech companies, where the scientific concept may be strong but access to specialist RNA infrastructure and development expertise is limited.

It can also support larger organisations exploring new RNA platforms, delivery systems or therapeutic applications.

What comes next?

RNA technologies offer an important opportunity to rethink how we approach some of the most persistent challenges in non-communicable disease.

In areas such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease, the potential is significant: more personalised cancer treatments, durable gene-silencing approaches, new options for genetically defined patient groups, and therapeutic strategies for targets that have historically been difficult to drug.

But real progress will depend on more than scientific promise alone.

It will require the ability to connect biology with development, manufacture, formulation, analytics, quality and scalability.

At CPI , we are keen to connect with innovators working in this area and explore where translational expertise and infrastructure can help move promising RNA science closer to patient impact.