Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Moderna announced in 2022 their strategic research collaboration aimed at the “discovery and development of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and mRNAs”. This partnership is part of Vertex’s larger project to find suitable Cystic Fibrosis (CF) treatments for all patients.
Over 2 decades of research have gone into Vertex’s “Fantasy project”, which aims to treat the underlying causes of CF. The condition is described by Dr Fred van Goor, Vice-President of CF research, as “so complex” that treatment seems “impossible”. Not daunted by this task, he and his colleagues successfully developed medicines with the potential to treat 90% of people with CF. These medicines act by fixing a broken version of the CFTR protein.
However, he observed that the remaining 10% of CF patients do not make this protein. Thus, a new approach is required. Through partnership with Moderna, Vertex hopes to access mRNA’s “transformational benefits”.
Inspired by the “strength, endurance, and spirit” of the CF community Vertex and Moderna continue to pursue the research that has been ongoing for years.
To hear from several Moderna speakers and panellists at the World Vaccine Congress in Europe 2022 click here!
