Brussels, 11/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 March, the European Commission awarded €2 million to German biopharmaceutical company CureVac GmbH for developing novel technology to produce life-saving vaccines that can be kept stable at any ambient temperature.
This is the first time the EU is offering such a prize for innovation. European Commissioner for Research and Innovation Maire Geoghegan-Quinn said: “CureVac's success opens up the possibility of a real European breakthrough in the delivery of vaccines to areas where they are needed most. This technology could save lives - exactly the type of innovation an EU inducement prize should support.”
This new technology is based on messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that stimulate the immune system. It has many potential advantages. A wide range of vaccines could be produced quickly, while ensuring their protection against both elevated temperature and inadvertent freezing. A number of clinical trials are currently being run with these vaccines. (JK)