Primrose Bio Announces New mRNA Polymerase

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Primrose Bio announced a new product to improve the manufacturing on long-template mRNA vaccines.¹ The Prima RNApols ExTend reportedly allows developers to produce mRNA products with improved performance at a reduced cost. It does so by producing mRNA with lower dsRNA.

In a press release, Primrose Bio CEO Helge Zieler said, “Prima ExTend is a much-needed innovation for the production of long-template mRNA therapeutics, that often struggle with integrity and quality issues that add risk to these programs. Our new enzyme is an important advancement for drug developers and researchers seeking high-integrity, high-yield mRNA. This innovation underscores our commitment to providing leading technologies that support the manufacturing of the next generation of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics."

In September of last year, Primrose Bio announced a partnership with ExPLoRNA Therapeutics to advance mRNA technologies, vaccines, and therapeutics.² As part of the collaboration, Primrose combined its Prima RNApols (the Prima RNApols ExTend predecessor) with ExPLoRNA’s therapeutic platform that allows for increases in protein production, limits dsRNA formation, and reduces IVT cost.

In a press release issued at the time, Zieler said, “We are excited to work with ExPLoRNA to bring industry leading mRNA cap analogs to the market and pairing them with Primrose Bio's RNA polymerases. This partnership will result in broader manufacturing and design options for companies developing mRNA therapeutics and vaccines, facilitating access to the most efficient capping chemistry available."

ExPLoRNA Therapeutics CEO Jacek Jemielity added, “Through joining forces, we'll advance the mRNA as a modality from the first applications to the next generation. We aim at creating the best synergies between our cap analogs and novel polymerases to surpass current manufacturing process and what is achievable with mRNA today."

In January, Primrose Bio also announced a partnership with the Serum Institute of India to co-develop a novel multi-antigen vaccine.³ As part of the deal, Primrose will handle the manufacturing of any resulting strains.

In a press release issued at the time, the Serum Institute of India’s executive director Dr. Umesh Shaligram said, “We are eager to strengthen our long-standing relationship with Primrose to develop a new vaccine with the potential to save millions of lives globally. This ambitious program faces many technical challenges, which become more difficult when aiming for global affordability. We believe the robustness of the Pfenex Expression Technology will enable us to solve these technical challenges at a global scale."

In the same press release, Zieler added, “We are delighted to deepen our long-standing relationship with SIIPL, a global leader in vaccine innovation. This commitment demonstrates the versatility and transformative potential of the Pfenex Expression Technology to address critical vaccine antigen manufacturing and global health needs."

SOURCES

1. Primrose Bio Launches Prima RNApols™ ExTend, an RNA Polymerase for Long-Template mRNA Manufacturing. Primrose Bio. March 26, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primrose-bio-launches-prima-rnapols-extend-an-rna-polymerase-for-long-template-mrna-manufacturing-302411990.html
2. Primrose Bio and ExPLoRNA Therapeutics Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance mRNA Medicines. Primrose Bio. September 3, 2025. Accessed March 26, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primrose-bio-and-explorna-therapeutics-announce-strategic-partnership-to-advance-mrna-medicines-302236633.html
3. Primrose Bio to Collaborate with Serum Institute of India to Develop a Novel Multi-Antigen Vaccine. Primrose Bio. January 10, 2025. Accessed March 26, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/primrose-bio-to-collaborate-with-serum-institute-of-india-to-develop-a-novel-multi-antigen-vaccine-302347796.html