RNA drug discovery just got a huge vote of confidence from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
One of the biggest priorities of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is vaccine work – it’s pledged to direct billions into biotechs and research working in global disease control.
And the foundation just made its single biggest investment in a biotech company, choosing one that’s in the RNA space – genetically reprogramming the body with mRNA to build its own antibodies. It joined a $76 million round into Germany-based CureVac – contributing an impressive $52 million to the pool.
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The technology is meant to be low cost and shelf-stable – it doesn’t react easily to changes in heat or cold,
“If we can teach the body to create its own natural defenses, we can revolutionize the way we treat and prevent diseases,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in a prepared statement. “Technologies like mRNA give us confidence to place big bets for the future. We are pleased to partner with CureVac who has been pioneering this technology.”