German federal funding for research into and development of mRNA-based therapeutics by a consortium of universities, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and BioNTech
14 June 2023
A new funding program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) aiming to improve production capacities and fostering research into and the development of specialty lipids and other auxiliaries used in mRNA vaccines and mRNA pharmaceutical will give funding to a consortium headed by BioNTech for five years from 2023. Members of the consortium include research teams at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), Leipzig University, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems (IMM) in Mainz as well as the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB) in Potsdam; Lipoid GmbH is participating as a further industry partner.
The focus will be on transport substances without which RNA therapeutics would be ineffective. These transporters determine the stability of the RNA itself and bring the active substances to the right part of the body to be taken up by the appropriate cells. They are responsible both for the duration and sites of action of mRNA-based medications.
The Mainz-based research collaboration is funded by the BMWK as a Consortium of Innovation from Science and Industry (KIWI). The aim is to strengthen the highly promising research undertaken by the academic partners and to enhance the resilience of the supply chains for future mRNA therapeutics over the long term by promoting the competitiveness of the industry partners.
"The KIWI consortium provides the perfect opportunity to engage in research at the preliminary stage together with leading academic partners. After extensive preparations, we have entered the practical phase of the project in an official kick-off meeting held last week," said Dr. Steffen Panzner of BioNTech Delivery Technologies GmbH, leader of the consortium.
"We are very much looking forward to the collaboration in the consortium," emphasized Professor Till Opatz of JGU's Department of Chemistry. "Our Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Biomedical Chemistry will train highly qualified future experts who are invited to contribute to the various subprojects in Mainz. Of course, we are also looking for brilliant minds from around the world who can master the necessary practical skills in organic chemistry," added Opatz.