RNA Medicines and Therapies Drive Healthcare Innovation

RNA-based medicines have revolutionized modern healthcare, offering new solutions for infectious diseases, cancer, and global health threats. To explore the future of this rapidly advancing field, we spoke with Kate Broderick, PhD, chief innovation officer at Marawi Life Sciences, a company specializing in RNA and DNA medical innovations.

Reflecting on recent developments, Broderick emphasized the transformative impact of RNA technologies. "I think if we have learned anything in the last five years, it's to really respect the power of RNA-based vaccines, therapeutics, and medicines in general," she stated. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated RNA’s potential, yielding highly effective vaccines in record time. Building on that success, RNA medicines are now expanding into new areas, with the first approved RNA medicine for RSV paving the way for broader applications.

One of the most promising frontiers is flu prevention. "The next obvious target would be flu, and multiple companies are working on both seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines. That’s an area where I think we’re going to see significant expansion," Broderick explained. Beyond flu, ongoing research aims to improve the precision of RNA and DNA medicines, targeting specific cell types. "During COVID, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) primarily targeted the liver, but as research expands, we are now looking at ways to direct treatments to lung tissue, the brain, and other areas. This will significantly broaden the therapeutic potential of these medicines."

RNA technologies also hold immense promise for addressing global health challenges. "Malaria remains the biggest killer of children in Africa, and despite decades of research, we still lack highly effective vaccines or therapeutics. There's a tremendous amount of work being done in the nucleic acid field to develop potential solutions for malaria," Broderick said. Likewise, RNA-based solutions could bring new hope to the long-standing challenge of HIV vaccine development, a field that has struggled for decades to produce an efficacious vaccine.

The concept of a universal flu vaccine is another long-sought goal that RNA technology could help achieve. "Historically, the 'holy grail' has been a universal flu vaccine—one that provides broad protection beyond the standard seasonal annual vaccine. The ideal approach would be a universal vaccine that could be administered every five years instead of annually, offering broader coverage," she noted. As pandemic threats such as avian flu emerge, RNA’s adaptability could be a crucial tool for future preparedness.

Beyond infectious diseases, RNA-based treatments are making strides in oncology. "Another incredibly exciting field is personalized cancer vaccines and therapies. We've already seen some remarkable clinical data in treating pancreatic cancer and melanoma—both of which are extremely difficult to treat in later stages," Broderick shared. Over the next five to ten years, she envisions a shift away from chemotherapy toward more targeted, personalized treatments. "The efficacy of some of these RNA-based vaccines is incredibly promising, and they have the potential to completely change the way we approach cancer treatment."

With advancements in targeting capabilities, therapeutic applications, and global disease response, RNA-based medicines are set to reshape the future of healthcare. "It’s a really exciting time in the field. I truly believe that nucleic acid medicines have the opportunity to revolutionize how we address some of the most urgent global health challenges," Broderick concluded.