The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated progress in RNA-based therapeutics, particularly through the successful development and global rollout of mRNA vaccines. This review delves into the transformative impact of the pandemic on RNA therapeutics, with a strong focus on lipid nanoparticl...

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Main Authors: Nargish Parvin, Tapas K. Mandal, Sang-Woo Joo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Pharmaceutics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1366
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author Nargish Parvin
Tapas K. Mandal
Sang-Woo Joo
author_facet Nargish Parvin
Tapas K. Mandal
Sang-Woo Joo
author_sort Nargish Parvin
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated progress in RNA-based therapeutics, particularly through the successful development and global rollout of mRNA vaccines. This review delves into the transformative impact of the pandemic on RNA therapeutics, with a strong focus on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a pivotal delivery platform. LNPs have proven to be critical in enhancing the stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of mRNA, facilitating the unprecedented success of vaccines like those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Beyond vaccines, LNP technology is being explored for broader therapeutic applications, including treatments for cancer, rare genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. This review also discusses emerging RNA delivery systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles and viral vectors, which offer alternative strategies to overcome existing challenges related to stability, immune responses, and tissue-specific targeting. Additionally, we examine the pandemic’s influence on regulatory processes, including the fast-tracked approvals for RNA therapies, and the surge in research funding that has spurred further innovation in the field. Public acceptance of RNA-based treatments has also grown, laying the groundwork for future developments in personalized medicine. By providing an in-depth analysis of these advancements, this review highlights the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the evolution of RNA therapeutics and the future of precision drug delivery technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-14e8a867146945eca0b28ed077a85f582025-08-20T02:48:02ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232024-10-011611136610.3390/pharmaceutics16111366The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery SystemsNargish Parvin0Tapas K. Mandal1Sang-Woo Joo2School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Basic Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, School of Basic Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, School of Basic Science, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated progress in RNA-based therapeutics, particularly through the successful development and global rollout of mRNA vaccines. This review delves into the transformative impact of the pandemic on RNA therapeutics, with a strong focus on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) as a pivotal delivery platform. LNPs have proven to be critical in enhancing the stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of mRNA, facilitating the unprecedented success of vaccines like those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Beyond vaccines, LNP technology is being explored for broader therapeutic applications, including treatments for cancer, rare genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. This review also discusses emerging RNA delivery systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles and viral vectors, which offer alternative strategies to overcome existing challenges related to stability, immune responses, and tissue-specific targeting. Additionally, we examine the pandemic’s influence on regulatory processes, including the fast-tracked approvals for RNA therapies, and the surge in research funding that has spurred further innovation in the field. Public acceptance of RNA-based treatments has also grown, laying the groundwork for future developments in personalized medicine. By providing an in-depth analysis of these advancements, this review highlights the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the evolution of RNA therapeutics and the future of precision drug delivery technologies.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1366RNA therapeuticslipid nanoparticlesCOVID-19 vaccinesdrug delivery systemsmRNA technology
spellingShingle Nargish Parvin
Tapas K. Mandal
Sang-Woo Joo
The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
Pharmaceutics
RNA therapeutics
lipid nanoparticles
COVID-19 vaccines
drug delivery systems
mRNA technology
title The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
title_full The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
title_fullStr The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
title_short The Impact of COVID-19 on RNA Therapeutics: A Surge in Lipid Nanoparticles and Alternative Delivery Systems
title_sort impact of covid 19 on rna therapeutics a surge in lipid nanoparticles and alternative delivery systems
topic RNA therapeutics
lipid nanoparticles
COVID-19 vaccines
drug delivery systems
mRNA technology
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/16/11/1366
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