In a significant move to advance mRNA therapeutic development, TriLink BioTechnologies has entered into a non-exclusive License and Supply Agreement with Aldevron, expanding access to its innovative CleanCap® mRNA capping technology. The partnership, announced on February 4, 2025, will enable Aldevron's customers to utilize TriLink's advanced capping solutions for non-commercial development of mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines.
The agreement encompasses TriLink's complete suite of patented CleanCap® technologies, including CleanCap® M6, CleanCap® AG 3'OMe, CleanCap® AG, and CleanCap® AU cap analogs. These will be integrated into Aldevron's mRNA development and manufacturing services, supporting programs from pre-clinical stages through Phase III trials.
Technical Advantages and Performance Metrics
CleanCap® technology represents a significant advancement in mRNA manufacturing efficiency. The platform achieves optimal 5'Cap structures with over 95% efficiency through co-transcriptional capping, substantially improving both mRNA yield and processing time compared to conventional capping methods.
The latest addition to the platform, CleanCap® M6, introduced in May 2023, has demonstrated remarkable performance improvements. Studies indicate it delivers more than 30% increased mRNA expression compared to traditional enzymatic capping approaches, marking a substantial advancement in the field.
Clinical Impact and Market Presence
The technology's clinical significance is evidenced by its widespread adoption across the pharmaceutical industry. "CleanCap technology is accelerating programs through drug development milestones and has been the capping technology of choice for mRNA constructs in 350+ preclinical and clinical programs," noted Becky Buzzeo, Chief Commercial Officer at Maravai. The platform's success is further validated by its use in the majority of approved COVID-19 mRNA and saRNA vaccines.
Manufacturing and Development Implications
This partnership strengthens the manufacturing capabilities available to pharmaceutical developers. Aldevron, as a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), provides essential services in plasmid DNA, RNA, and protein production for research, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The integration of CleanCap® technology into their service offering enhances their ability to support breakthrough discoveries and accelerate research programs.
The collaboration between these industry leaders represents a significant step forward in making advanced mRNA manufacturing technologies more accessible to researchers and developers working on next-generation therapeutics. This expanded access to optimized capping technology could potentially accelerate the development timeline for future mRNA-based drugs and vaccines.
