Singapore’s cutting-edge mRNA lab is poised to lead the way in vaccine and therapeutic development for future pandemics and other diseases.
On November 4, Singapore officially launched Asia’s first mRNA production facility, the NATi mRNA BioFoundry, marking a significant step in national pandemic preparedness and the advancement of nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT). This pioneering lab, part of the A*Star Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative (NATi), is designed to quickly produce materials for pre-clinical and animal studies, including mRNA vaccines and therapies for cancer and viral infections.
The BioFoundry, which can now produce up to 5g of purified RNA daily—enough for an estimated 100,000 vaccine doses—was equipped with two highly advanced machines in April 2024, dramatically improving production efficiency. Previously, the lab would have needed a month or more to produce the same amount.
This facility supports the development of mRNA vaccines for diseases such as influenza, including the H5N1 bird flu strain, and lays the foundation for RNA-based treatments for conditions like cancer and eye infections. The project is part of the $97 million NATi program and was built in collaboration with A*Star, Wellcome Leap, and the Wellcome Trust.
With this technological leap, Singapore aims to solidify its role as a hub for biomedical innovation and advance its capabilities in RNA technology to address future global health challenges.
