ST PHARM said on the 9th it was selected as the manufacturing and technology partner for the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine development project for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Backed by CEPI, the project is a long-term study running through 2030 that includes identifying antigen candidates through artificial intelligence (AI) and structure-based design and verifying immunogenicity and safety. The National Institute of Health of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), and Seoul National University are jointly participating.
The vaccine candidate antigens will be designed by the disease agency and Seoul National University, while ST PHARM will handle the entire process of designing and manufacturing the mRNA Vaccine drug substance by leveraging the SmartCap and the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology STLNP platform, as well as its good manufacturing practice (GMP) infrastructure.
SFTS is a virus transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks and occurs mainly in East Asia, including Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan. It causes high fever, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure, and is a deadly infectious disease that can lead to multiple organ failure, especially among older adults.
Because the virus evades immunity, no vaccine has been commercialized so far, but the mRNA platform can precisely implement antigen structures and induce a strong T-cell immune response, raising the possibility that it could lead to the world's first SFTS vaccine.
The project aims to establish a basic vaccine model applicable to the Phenuivirus family, to which SFTS belongs. This is to enable rapid adaptation in case a new virus of the same family emerges. The study is also linked to CEPI's 100 Days Mission to develop vaccines within 100 days. Once a basic model is in place, it becomes possible to secure the key data and technologies that can speed up the initial response when similar viruses emerge in the future.
Seong Mu-je, CEO of ST PHARM, said, "We are pleased to participate in developing an SFTS mRNA Vaccine based on our SmartCap, STLNP platforms, and CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) capabilities," and added, "We will actively support the safe and efficient development and production of the vaccine candidate."