Lemonex signs MOU with WHO mRNA vaccines tech hub

South Korea's gene therapeutics developer Lemonex announced on Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization (WHO) to manufacture messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines utilizing its proprietary drug delivery system (DDS), DegradaBALL.

The pharmaceutical company will provide DegradaBALL to the WHO mRNA technology transfer hubs located in Cape Town, South Africa. Conventional mRNA vaccines require storage and transport at temperatures between -20 and -80 degrees Celsius, posing significant challenges for distribution in developing countries.

According to Lemonex, DegradaBALL addresses this issue by allowing vaccines to be stored at room temperature for over two years.

Composed primarily of silicon dioxide (SiO2), DegradaBALL is a three-dimensional nanoparticle featuring a hollow, golf ball-like structure with holes on its surface.

"The drug can be placed between the holes and freeze-dried, enabling distribution even to countries with vast distances and high temperatures," a Lemonex official said. "This technology also allows for advanced production, inventory storage and distribution."

Currently, lipid nanoparticles and adeno-associated viruses are the most widely utilized gene therapy drug delivery systems, as seen in Moderna and Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines. However, these systems have limitations, including side effects such as blood clots and the inability for repeated administration. DegradaBALL, on the other hand, lacks these drawbacks, making it an ideal candidate for vaccine development, according to Lemonex.

Write to Jeong-Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com