mRNA and Self-Replicating RNA Vaccine Platforms

COVID-19 exposed Latin America's vaccine dependency: the region imported nearly all its mRNA vaccines from the US and Europe. Brazil is now building domestic capacity through two approaches: Fiocruz (Bio-Manguinhos) received $17.9 million from CEPI to develop mRNA and viral vector platforms; Butantan partnered with Replicate Bioscience for self-replicating RNA (srRNA) technology, starting with a rabies vaccine.

srRNA is a next-generation approach where the RNA molecule replicates itself inside cells, requiring lower doses and potentially enabling single-dose vaccination. If successful, this could make Brazil a vaccine supplier for the Global South — a region of 4+ billion people currently dependent on wealthy-country pharmaceutical companies.

Brazil's vaccine manufacturing base is already substantial: Fiocruz produces millions of doses of yellow fever, measles, and influenza vaccines annually. Adding mRNA/srRNA capability would complete the transition from vaccine recipient to vaccine innovator.