Arcturus is based in San Diego and is working on a range of late-stage products for “self-amplifying” messenger-RNA vaccines,which are also called next-generation mRNA products.
These type of products differ from the mRNA vaccines currently on the market for COVID-19 and typically require lower doses because they are designed so the strand of messenger-RNA,which delivers instructions to the body on how to fight disease,replicates itself once inside the cell.
Researchers are also hoping these vaccines won’t have to be stored and transported at very low temperatures,and are aiming for products that can be stored at between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.
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Arcturus has a range of late-stage vaccine candidates in development,including a COVID shot that has recently completed a phase 3 trial.
CSL has also been working in the self-amplifying mRNA space,developing an influenza vaccine using this approach.
The company will pay Arcturus $US200 million ($313 million) upfront for access to its technology,with more payments on the table,depending on hitting commercial milestones.