EMA Aims to Develop Guideline for mRNA Vaccines

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EMA looks to focus on mRNA vaccines because their classification depends on the target and/or whether they are obtained chemically or biologically.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has created a concept paper that addresses the need to establish a guideline on the quality aspects of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, emphasizing the number of clinical trial applications and marketing authorization applications for mRNA-containing products significantly increasing over the past few years and still growing.

Further, EMA looks to focus on mRNA vaccines because their classification depends on the target and/or whether they are obtained chemically or biologically. New technology for these types of vaccines is not fully accounted for in the existing guidance, which is why a newer guidance is necessary for EMA to highlight specific aspects regarding the manufacturing process, characterization, specifications, and analytical control for mRNA vaccines for the prevention of infectious disease.

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According to the company press release, the scope of the guideline will be limited to mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases. Further, mRNA-based therapeutics will be out of scope of the document, and it is not intended to address specific requirements for mRNA vaccines to be used in clinical trials.

Source: EMA