The mRNA COVID 19 vaccine: More than a drug?

Abstract

Given the recent spread of the Covid-19 disease, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Among other things, the need for the use of drugs arises. There are three possibilities: monoclonal antibodies, antiviral drugs and vaccines. The limitations of the first two are well known; the efficacy and safety of vaccines have been shown to be superior, having saved billions of lives. The RNA vaccine has been possible after modification of this naked nucleic acid. Once “stabilized”, it is necessary to have an excipient that allows its formulation, ensuring stability, safety and efficacy after administration. Lipid nanoparticles have supposedly made it viable. December 8, 2019 will go down in history as the first day when an mRNA drug was administered to a human being. But this date also allows a reflection beyond medicine: was the RNA molecule that, as documented by some scientists, 3.5 billion years ago originated life, being administered? RNA, DNA, proteins and lipid membranes have been suggested as the origin of life. Will formulating these same four components usher in a new era in pharmacology? Keywords: vaccines; coronavirus; injectables ;modified RNA; lipidic nanoparticles