How Moderna is harnessing the power of mRNA to transform health care

As health care professionals, you are the first line of defense in healthcare, often tasked with demystifying complex medical advancements for your patients. One such advancement is the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. mRNA medical technology, began in the 1960’s with scientists testing its effectiveness against various diseases, and culminated in a world-changing breakthrough in 2020 through the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccine. This breakthrough was years in the making. For over a decade, Moderna has been pioneering mRNA technology to create vaccines and therapies for a range of common viruses and rare diseases, such as cancer, HIV, respiratory, and metabolic disorders. By 2020, Moderna had advanced nine mRNA vaccine candidates for testing against various infectious diseases. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company pivoted to focus on creating a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Not only did this vaccine become their first commercial product but also marked a milestone as Health Canada became the first health authority to issue full regulatory approval for its use. How mRNA works mRNA, a single-stranded molecule, is like a recipe that instructs our bodies on how to make proteins. When a small fragment of mRNA is introduced through a vaccine, it provides instructions for the body to create a specific protein found on a virus’s surface. This process triggers the immune system to recognize and fight off the virus in future exposures. Importantly, this process leaves the recipient’s DNA unaltered while fostering natural immunity to a specific disease. By encoding these instructions into mRNA, Moderna's technology enables cells to produce proteins that can prevent, treat, or even potentially cure diseases. The future of mRNA This transformative approach has broad applications across various medical fields, including infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. The mRNA platform could potentially expedite the development of novel treatments, as it allows for the rapid design of mRNA sequences. This speed and flexibility could be instrumental in responding to emerging health threats, as evidenced by Moderna's swift development of a COVID-19 vaccine. “The adaptability and precision of mRNA technology allow for the development of targeted treatments that can respond swiftly to a multitude of diseases," explains Dr. Shehzad Iqbal, Country Medical Director and one of the early team members at Moderna Canada. "We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what this technology can achieve." Moderna in Canada: Since 2020, Moderna has been expanding its footprint and investment in Canada to support the country’s leadership in becoming a global centre of excellence for mRNA technology, while simultaneously supporting Canada’s resiliency against future pandemics. Canada's healthcare infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities are critical to navigating future pandemics. In response, Moderna and the Government of Canada has embarked on a 10-year strategic partnership to enhance Canada's resilience against future pandemics and health emergencies. A significant milestone towards achieving this is the current construction of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Quebec. In2025, pending Health Canada's approval, Canada will possess the capability to domestically manufacture and produce end-to-end mRNA respiratory vaccines. Beyond manufacturing, Moderna is building research and development partnerships across the country. To date Moderna has forged agreements with institutions such as McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of British Columbia, fostering an environment of scientific exploration and innovation. “Moderna was very much starting from scratch as a commercial organization in the pandemic—the Canadian team only had about five people during the peak—but our [mRNA] platform enabled us to develop, test and bring a new vaccine to market with significant speed and scale.” Says Iqbal. “As one of Moderna Canada’s first employees, it’s been incredible to see what we’ve achieved in three years, and I look forward to seeing how much more we can contribute to support Canadian health care in the years to come.” To learn more about Moderna Canada: modernatx.com/en-CA Questions about a Moderna Product, contact us: 1-866 663-3762 +1-866-MODERNA www.ModernaTX.com Medinfo@modernatx.com Available in English and French 8:00AM to 8:00PM EST Monday - Friday (not including holidays) Help manage patient queries about COVID-19 booster shots and vaccine choices. Canimmunize's COVID-19 Self-Assessment Questionnaire can assist. Learn more about how to leverage this resource to guide your patients effectively, ensuring they stay informed and protected this season.

How Moderna is harnessing the power of mRNA to transform health care

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