Recent Advances in the Development, Characterization, and Stability Aspects of RNA-Based Vaccines

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Gene and Cell Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 1099

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Dongguk University, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
Interests: mRNA vaccines; lyophilization; vaccine stability; continuous manufacturing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science, CHA University, Gyeonggi 13488, Republic of Korea
Interests: nanomaterial; drug delivery; nano biosensor; plasmonic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid development and subsequent implementation of RNA-based vaccines during the global COVID-19 pandemic not only transformed the landscape of vaccine technology but also paved the way for novel therapeutic applications that were previously unimaginable. This particular Special Issue aims to compile and present the most recent and noteworthy advancements in the realm of RNA vaccine research, including but not limited to, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation strategies, novel characterization methodology, cryoprotectants for lyophilization, and the impact of storage conditions on vaccine performance.

We extend a cordial invitation to researchers and scholars to submit their research or review article contributions to this Special Issue. Through state-of-the-art research and the promotion of collaborative efforts among scientists within this discipline, we hope to advance the collective understanding and practical applications of RNA technology. We strongly encourage authors to provide in-depth insights and comprehensive data that have the potential to inspire further research and development endeavors in this highly promising and rapidly evolving area of study.

Dr. Ravi Maharjan
Dr. Surin Hong
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • RNA-based vaccines
  • lyophilization
  • stability
  • gene therapy
  • formulation strategies
  • novel characterization
  • delivery systems
  • biopharmaceuticals
  • continuous manufacturing
  • AI/ML/digital twin

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

22 pages, 2633 KiB  
Review
Implications of Anaphylaxis Following mRNA-LNP Vaccines: It Is Urgent to Eliminate PEG and Find Alternatives
by Jinxing Song, Dihan Su, Hongbing Wu and Jeremy Guo
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060798 - 19 Jun 2025
Viewed by 661
Abstract
The mRNA vaccine has protected humans from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has taken the lead in reversing the epidemic efficiently. However, the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) reported and raised the alarm of allergic or acute inflammatory adverse reactions after vaccination [...] Read more.
The mRNA vaccine has protected humans from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has taken the lead in reversing the epidemic efficiently. However, the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) reported and raised the alarm of allergic or acute inflammatory adverse reactions after vaccination with mRNA-LNP vaccines. Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added four black-box warnings in the instructions for mRNA-LNP vaccines. Numerous studies have proven that the observance of side effects after vaccination is indeed positively correlated to the level of anti-PEG antibodies (IgM or IgG), which are enhanced by PEGylated preparations like LNP vaccine and environmental exposure. After literature research and review in the past two decades, it was found that the many clinical trial failures (BIND-014, RB006 fell in phase II) of PEG modified delivery system or PEGylated drug were related to the high expression of anti-PEG IgM and IgG. In the background of shooting multiple mRNA-LNP vaccines in billions of people around the world in the past three years, the level of anti-PEG antibodies in the population may have significantly increased, which brings potential risks for PEG-modified drug development and clinical safety. This review summarizes the experience of using mRNA-LNP vaccines from the mechanism of the anti-PEG antibodies generation, detection methods, clinical failure cases of PEG-containing products, harm analysis of abuse of PEGylation, and alternatives. In light of the increasing prevalence of anti-PEG antibodies in the population and the need to avoid secondary injuries, this review article holds greater significance by offering insights for drug developers. It suggests avoiding the use of PEG excipients when designing PEGylated drugs or PEG-modified nano-formulations and provides references for strategies such as utilizing PEG-free or alternative excipients. Full article
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