The vaccine has made an indelible contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, among which the mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) vaccine is considered one of the most effective vaccines. This technology comes from a German company called BioNTech. BNT worked with Pfizer (Pfizer) to successfully develop the mRNA new crown vaccine in 2020.
Now, BNT co-founders Uğur Şahin and Ozlem Tureci, have announced again that the vaccine against cancer is expected to be released by 2030, and have made "breakthrough" progress and are optimistic about the prospects for developing cancer vaccines in the next few years.
In the program aired on October 16 by the BBC (BBC), Toureci said: Using mRNA (technology vaccines can allow the immune system to attack the new coronavirus, and can also be transformed into allowing the immune system to attack cancer cells. However, Toureci also said: "As scientists, we have never easily stated that we have developed cancer therapies." At present, the development of cancer vaccines "has many breakthroughs, and we will continue to work hard." The host asked when the cancer vaccine with mRNA technology will be released, and Saxin replied: "Before 2030."
Saxin and Toureci said: In the past, they have been studying the core mRNA of the new coronavirus vaccine . When it comes to technology, it is found that this technology can be used to start the human immune system and attack cancer cells. Although I dare not say that I have found a cure for cancer, it can be said that I have made "breakthrough" progress and will continue to work hard. The main principle of the technology used in the new crown vaccine is to inject the harmless spike protein genetic instructions on the new crown virus into the body and produce antigen . After receiving the instructions, human cells can create this spike protein, so this spike protein becomes a "wanted poster", teaching antibodies and other fortifications in the immune system to search and attack the wanted new crown virus. Saxin and Touresi used the same method to activate the immune system in the human body, find destructive cancer cells, and attack.
In fact, BioNTech The development of cancer vaccines has been started many years ago. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus will be temporarily shifted to the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Currently, the company has several cancer vaccines in clinical trials. Toureci said that the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine "brings positive returns to our work in cancer vaccines." During the COVID-19 pandemic, BioNTech has learned how to quickly manufacture mRNA vaccines and also better understand the response of the human immune system to mRNA. The intensive and rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine has also made pharmaceutical regulators more aware of how to approve vaccines. "All this will definitely accelerate the cancer vaccine."
BioNTech Hope to develop treatments for colorectal cancer, melanoma (an skin cancer ) and other cancers, but there are still many obstacles. Cancer cells in malignant tumors may have many different spike proteins, and it is difficult for a vaccine to attack all cancer cells without involving healthy body tissues.
Sahin and Toureci founded in Germany in 2008 BioNTech Biotech company, is headquartered in Mainz, , Germany. 's main business is to develop and produce effective immunotherapy for severe diseases targeting specific patients. It develops candidates based on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), used as individualized cancer immunotherapy , infectious diseases vaccines and rare disease , as well as engineered cell therapy , novel antibody and small molecule immunomodulator as treatment options for cancer.
2013 In 2018, biochemist Kalico Katalin Karikó joined BioNTech as Senior Vice President. Between 2014 and 2018, BioNTech published many research results on mRNA mechanisms. In August 2018, BioNTech announced that it had launched a collaborative study with Pfizer in the United States to develop mRNA-based influenza vaccines. According to the agreement, after BioNTech completes its first phase clinical trials, Pfizer will be solely responsible for the subsequent clinical development and commercialization of mRNA-based influenza vaccines.
In September 2019, Biotechnology Company and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation signed an agreement on the development of vaccines for preventing HIV, tuberculosis infection and related diseases, and exploring immunotherapy. On October 10, 2019, BioNTech and its newly established North American headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are publicly traded under the stock code BNTX as American Depositary Shares (ADS) in the Nasdaq Global Select Market. BioNTech is able to raise $150 million through its IPO.
U.S. Moderna Biotech Inc. sued BioNTech and Pfizer's new crown vaccine infringement of patent rights in August this year. Saxin said in an exclusive interview: BioNTech's mRNA technology is original, "We have invested 20 years to develop this therapy, and of course we will defend our intellectual property rights."
