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Revolutionary RNA vaccines technology could bring humanity one step closer to global vaccine equity

27 Jan 2025

RNAssist and CPI have collaborated to develop TheraPHIX™, a new way of storing RNA vaccines without needing a freezer. It could help deliver potentially life-saving vaccines to hard-to-reach regions, improving global health equity.

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We’ve been working with UK-based SME, RNAssist, to develop a revolutionary new method for storing life-saving RNA vaccines without needing a freezer. 

Current methods require RNA vaccines to be stored and transported at temperatures as low as ‑50°C, making it practically impossible to get them to remote areas of the globe at scale. The World Health Organisation estimates that 1.3 million more people would still be alive today if COVID-19 vaccines were distributed more evenly across the world.

We worked with RNAssist to develop a thermostable formulation to store RNA vaccines encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) without needing a freezer. This was achieved using deep eutectic solvents (DES), non-aqueous, non-organic solid solvents that form a compound liquid when mixed. We developed two workflows: one that encapsulates DES within the RNA-LNPs (internal DES) and another where the DES is added after the RNA vaccine-LNP complex has already been formed (external DES). 

With funding from Innovate UK, we also provided state-of-the-art facilities and formulation expertise at our National Formulation Centre and National Biologics Manufacturing Centre. This was critical to optimise and test the process. 

The resulting TheraPHIX™ formulations will enable manufacturers to store RNA vaccines at ambient temperatures, with the potential to revolutionise vaccination campaigns and improve global vaccine equity. 

The success of this collaboration on TheraPHIX™ has resulted in RNAssist filing intellectual property (IP) patents for the application of this technology. The company is now looking for commercial partners to maximise the impact of the technology. 

Andrew Goldsborough, CEO of RNAssist, said:

This is a real breakthrough, not just for RNAssist, but for global healthcare as a whole. TheraPHIX™ has the potential to transform vaccine distribution, particularly in underserved regions. Our collaboration with CPI and support from Innovate UK have been invaluable in bringing this innovation to life. Together, we’re making strides toward a future where life-saving RNA vaccines can reach everyone, everywhere.”

Nyama Johnson, Project Manager at CPI, said:

The COVID-19 pandemic shows we have the tools to develop innovative RNA vaccines and protect millions of people worldwide. The challenge is getting them into the hard-to-reach communities. Our work with RNAssist on TheraPHIX™ has the potential to improve the lives of even more people worldwide and halt the spread of future epidemics or pandemics faster.”

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