Japanese pharmaceutical company Daiichi Sankyo is set to develop a mRNA vaccine candidate to protect against Covid-19 infection in the country.

Currently, the company is part of Covid-19 vaccine research and development (R&D) being led by the University of Tokyo.

The project, Fundamental Research on the Control of a Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

In addition, the company is part of a basic, genetic (mRNA) vaccine research project, titled Development of a Genetic Vaccine for 2019-nCoV. This project leverages Daiichi Sankyo’s nucleic acid delivery technology.

The technology is designed to form lipid nanoparticle structures, stabilise pharmaceutical active ingredients and deliver nucleic acids into immune cells, said to have shown the ability to trigger optimal immune response compared to standard vaccine technology.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In a pharmacological assessment with animal models, a prototype mRNA vaccine was found to increase antibody titers to SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus, said the company.

Based on these findings, the company intends to prioritise the development of the mRNA vaccine and is considering an increase in scale to form a supply system.

The company aims to advance the vaccine into clinical studies by around March next year. It will use the ‘New Influenza Vaccine Development and Production System Development Project’ facilities to establish the supply system.

In a statement, Daiichi Sankyo said: “Through collaboration with the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), our research partner the University of Tokyo, and other organisations, we will proceed with the research and development of this mRNA vaccine and make efforts to ensure that it can be supplied as soon as possible.”

Last week, the company signed a basic agreement with the University of Tokyo, Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical and RIKEN for R&D of a Nafamostat inhalation formulation to treat Covid-19.