Research and innovation
BioNTech’s research and development efforts are deeply rooted in science. We are committed to advancing innovative approaches in medicine and developing novel treatment options.
BioNTech Innovation Centre
BioNTech has established a team of local experts at its Melbourne Innovation Centre to provide specialised advice on the research, development and manufacturing of new mRNA-based investigational vaccines and immunotherapies.
BioNTech has a proven track record in:
- High quality mRNA product development, manufacture of mRNA for clinical trials and large-scale commercial supply, and commercialisation.
- Providing mentoring and manufacturing services to meet researchers' project needs.
- Guiding the navigation of complex commercial and regulatory pathways.
- Supporting opportunities to manufacture novel investigational vaccines and immunotherapies under flexible arrangements.
- Accessing global BioNTech expertise through the Innovation Centre.
The Innovation Centre facilitates access to artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, as well as access to the deep expertise available across BioNTech's global team.
BioNTech research and development (R&D) laboratory
An integral stage in the development of a new mRNA-based medicine is the optimisation of the mRNA construct (drug substance) and the lipid formulation composition (drug product). This ensures that the immunotherapy will have the best chance of success in achieving the desired therapeutic benefit. To enable researchers to achieve this goal, the BioNTech R&D Production Laboratory provides services for the manufacture of research-grade mRNA and lipid formulation of immunotherapies and mRNA vaccines for testing in research models. Our expert scientists leverage BioNTech proprietary technologies and know-how in the design and manufacture of research materials using protocols that are fully scalable and compatible with those being used in our BioNTainer clinical GMP manufacturing units.
Optimisation of the mRNA may consider aspects of design such as cap selection, nucleotide modification, 5’ and 3’ untranslated regions, poly A tail length, translation efficiency, and other program-specific elements. Lipid formulations will be made available to researchers, depending on the desired indication, mechanism of action and route of administration. Researchers will be provided with an opportunity to work with our expert analysts in the selection of analytical methods for testing of the quality and composition of mRNA and formulated research materials.
The raw materials, applied technologies, unit operations, and analytical methods used in the manufacture of research-grade samples are fully compatible with the BioNTech clinical GMP manufacturing framework, thereby providing an end-to-end translation pathway from the research laboratory to the clinic and beyond.
Therapeutic areas
Explore more about R&D at BioNTech
Scientific groundwork
Founded by scientists to translate science into survival for people living with cancer, BioNTech’s breakthroughs in mRNA research set the stage for the first ever approved mRNA medicinal product. We continue to break new ground in optimizing mRNA technology, aiming to enhance immune responses to address cancer, infectious diseases and other serious diseases.
Scientific publications
BioNTech is committed to scientific excellence and innovation by sharing key findings across therapeutic areas and modalities in peer-reviewed formats.
