BIA Separations, a bio-chromatography development and manufacturing company, has introduced PrimaS ligand technology, a multi-use platform that facilitates high-resolution, high-speed processing and addresses critical separation problems.
The first application of PrimaS technology is for messenger RNA (mRNA) purification addressing a rapidly growing interest in mRNA-based therapies.
As part of BIA Separations‘ CIMmultus range, PrimaS is a key addition to the company‘s mRNA purification toolbox, including Oligo dT-18, C4-HLD and SDVB chemistries. The platform harnesses mRNA capturing and polishing strategies, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurity removal and mRNA sizing options.
mRNA manufacturing involves several complex bioprocessing steps beginning with plasmid DNA production and its linearisation, followed by in vitro transcription (IVT). Both operations include finely balanced enzymatic reactions, utilising a number of key raw materials. For the standards required for clinical applications, ultra-pure mRNA is required, with critical contaminants eliminated, including dsRNA, template DNA and respective enzymes, in addition to potential impurities from raw materials such as chromatin-like structures and endotoxins.
Significant progress has been made by reseachers to sharpen concepts that exploit mRNA-based therapeutics, with, as examples, many protein replacement, immuno-oncology and vaccine approaches already progressing to early clinical stages. COVID-19 exemplifies the need for these advancements, acting as a catalyst to accelerate such developments.