Boosting access to mRNA vaccines through innovative mRNA delivery platform

8 May 2025; OSLO; SINGAPORE: New research led by a team of scientists in Singapore will explore whether a novel targeted delivery platform could help to increase the stability of mRNA-based vaccines and therefore help to improve global access to these lifesaving vaccines.

CEPI is providing up to US$2.87 million to ACM Biolabs for preclinical proof of concept of its mRNA delivery technology—the ACM Tunable Platform (“ATP”)—using Rabies as a model pathogen. ATP is a thermostable mRNA delivery vehicle that allows for mRNA storage at 2-8°C, in contrast to most existing mRNA delivery systems, which require ultra-low temperatures for storage.

To ensure the successful delivery of mRNA in the body, it is typically encased in fatty globules known as lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which protect the mRNA long enough for it to reach and enter the target cells to elicit an immune response. However, the typical composition of LNPs are not thermostable and need to be stored at well below freezing. 

CEPI invests in novel technologies that support the development of thermostable mRNA vaccines, such as ACM Biolabs’ ATP technology, to help overcome some of the inequities witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where countries without established cold-chain infrastructure were often unable to access mRNA vaccines, contributing to delays in vaccine access. 

“Removing the need for frozen storage would make mRNA vaccines significantly easier, and cheaper, to ship, store and distribute, particularly in low-resource settings, helping simplify last-mile delivery of mRNA-based vaccines,” said Kent Kester, Executive Director of Research and Development at CEPI. “CEPI is pleased to partner with Singapore’s ACM Biolabs to explore how its innovative mRNA delivery platform could improve the heat stability of mRNA vaccines and ultimately increase global access to potentially life-saving mRNA vaccines developed in response to future infectious disease outbreaks.” 

Madhavan Nallani, Chief Executive Officer of ACM Biolabs, said: “CEPI is globally recognized for driving innovation in vaccine development, and we are proud to partner with them to shape the future of mRNA vaccines. Our ATP platform is engineered to address key challenges in the field—most notably by significantly enhancing thermostability, with the potential to improve immunogenicity and simplify distribution. Through this collaboration, we aim to generate robust scientific validation and accelerate the global reach of transformative vaccines that are both effective and accessible.”   

ACM Biolabs’ ATP technology could also offer better and more durable immune protection from mRNA-based vaccines. That’s because it’s thought the ATP may enhance the activation of T cells, which are associated with long-term immunity, as well as boosting antibody response, which help to fight off viruses. 

Commitment to equitable access

CEPI and ACM Biolabs are committed to enabling equitable access to the outputs of this CEPI-supported programme, in line with CEPI's Equitable Access Policy. This ultimately includes a commitment to vaccines being available first to populations at risk when and where they are needed at an affordable price should a related vaccine be developed further using CEPI funding. Project results including data generated as part of this project will be published open access for the benefit of the global scientific community.

—ENDS—

About CEPI

CEPI is an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil organisations. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need. CEPI has supported the development of more than 60 vaccine candidates or platform technologies against multiple known high-risk pathogens or a future Disease X. Central to CEPI’s pandemic-beating plan for is the ‘100 Days Mission’ to compress the time taken to develop safe, effective, globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days. Learn more at CEPI.net.   

About ACM Biolabs  

ACM Biolabs is headquartered in Singapore, with subsidiaries in Basel, Switzerland, and Sydney, Australia.   The company’s highly effective and thermostable “ATP” nanoparticle delivery platform allows targeted delivery of a variety of cargoes.    The safety of the ATP platform has been proven in both prophylactic infectious disease vaccine and oncology immunotherapy clinical trials.