How CDMOs are Adapting to New mRNA Tech Demands

From 2020, coinciding with the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s been a steady upsurge in demand for new technologies such as messenger RNA (mRNA). Contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) are compelled to rapidly expand capabilities to cater to this upsurge. Let’s see how CDMOs have prepared for the new wave of technologies on the horizon, and the challenges they faced in welcoming a new era of such technologies.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the successful development and utilisation of mRNA vaccines. This has encouraged biopharmaceutical companies to explore and utilise these technologies for other diseases. There are a significant number of new therapeutic programmes that are based on mRNA and lipids, which is encouraging CDMOs to invest in new expertise to deliver end-to-end solutions.

CDMOs have been building new capacity, while simultaneously building out capabilities, to better prepare for the new wave of technologies. Many CDMOs have invested in new processes and resources to safeguard product integrity, minimise waste, enable safe and efficacious supply to patients without delay.

“In the area of mRNA technology, we have seen CDMOs do almost exclusive internal builds, while others are making strategic acquisitions to develop their mRNA capabilities. Many CDMOs, like the Center for Breakthrough Medicines, are expanding to include this dedicated and segregated capacity. It is extraordinarily complex and a different process from other processes CDMOs are currently running, so you must make sure to segregate these operations as much as possible from your existing manufacturing,” said Joerg Ahlgrimm, President and CEO, Center for Breakthrough Medicines, US.

With mRNA-based drugs witnessing a surge in popularity in such a short time frame, companies supporting their development and manufacturing had to adapt quickly as mRNA- based vaccines required cold chain capabilities and more robust aseptic fillfinish technologies.

Weathering the storm

Even though COVID-19 fuelled the growth for the CDMO market, it also brought its fair share of challenges.