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Custom mRNA Modification Services

Introduction mRNA Modification Workflow What We Can Offer FAQ

Introduction

Our Custom mRNA Modification services help accelerate therapeutic discovery and obtain high-quality, high-efficacy mRNA constructs for biopharmaceutical research. We use advanced 5'-cap engineering and strategic nucleoside substitutions to ensure optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of novel drug candidates.

Creative Biolabs' Custom mRNA Modification solves intrinsic IVT mRNA limitations—rapid degradation and innate immune activation. It provides highly stable, non-immunogenic mRNA constructs tailored for vaccines, personalized cancer therapy, and protein replacement.

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Custom mRNA Modification: Strategic Engineering of the Transcript

Creative Biolabs' comprehensive modification platform focuses on the two most critical regions of the mRNA transcript to maximize its functional integrity and cellular acceptance.

RNA modifications for mRNA therapeutics. (OA Literature)Fig.1 The different modifications of mRNA, the chemical structure of the 5'-cap, and the common modification bases used to modify mRNA.1

mRNA 5' Capping

The 5' cap is the regulatory and protective structure essential for both efficient translation initiation and protection from 5' exoribonucleases. We offer precision capping solutions:

  • Anti-Reverse Cap Analog (ARCA): This is the foundation of our high-yield synthesis. ARCA incorporates a non-hydrolyzable 3'-O-methyl G group, preventing incorporation in the unproductive reverse orientation. This ensures nearly 100% functional cap structures, dramatically increasing translational output.
  • Advanced Cap Structures: For specialized research or analysis, we provide modified structures such as Fluorescent Caps for tracking, and Fluorophosphate-containing or 6-Thioguanosine-containing Caps for ligation or unique chemical interactions. We also offer Enzymatic Cap 1 generation, providing the most native-like structure (m7GpppNm) for highly sensitive applications.

Nucleotides Modification

The incorporation of modified nucleosides is the most critical step in creating a non-immunogenic and highly efficient mRNA. Our substitution services are driven by clinically relevant data:

Modified Nucleotide Function and Therapeutic Impact Implementation
N1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1Ψ) Unmatched Immune Evasion and Efficacy. The substitution of U with m1Ψ prevents recognition by innate immune sensors (TLR7/TLR8) and stabilizes the ribosome during elongation, leading to superior protein yield and prolonged half-life. Standard in all high-efficacy mRNA constructs.
Pseudouridine (Ψ) Highly effective base substitution that reduces immunogenicity compared to native U, suitable for applications where a strong, transient immune response may be beneficial. Customizable for specific vaccine applications.
N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) and Derivatives Modulates RNA secondary structure and RNA-protein interactions, influencing mRNA splicing, localization, and decay. Essential for fine-tuning the temporal expression profile of a therapeutic. Strategic placement for regulatory control.
5-Methylcytidine (m5C) / 2-Thiouridine (s2U) Further chemical substitutions that contribute to overall immune tolerance and structural stability, particularly in UTRs and coding regions, are needed to optimize ribosome movement. Utilized for highly complex structural mRNA engineering.

Workflow

Required Starting Materials

To initiate a project, clients typically provide the following concrete inputs:

  1. DNA Template Sequence (Linearized Plasmid): The complete DNA sequence encoding the target protein, including UTR and poly(A) tail design (if predetermined).
  2. Modification Strategy Goal: Specific requirements regarding translational yield targets, required half-life, or target immunogenicity reduction percentage.
  3. Target Application and Cell Type: Information on the final therapeutic application (e.g., vaccine, CAR-T cell reprogramming) to guide nucleoside selection and purity requirements.
Consultation & Design
Sequence Optimization

Initial Consultation and Design Optimization

Creative Biolabs scientists analyze clients' templates, target proteins, and therapeutic goals, then select optimal 5' cap analogs (ARCA vs. enzymatic Cap 1), required modified nucleosides (m1Ψ commonly used), and UTR sequences.

High-Purity In Vitro Transcription (IVT)

The DNA template is transcribed with proprietary high-yield polymerases, along with selected modified nucleoside triphosphates and 5' cap analog.

Chemical Modifications
Synthesis & Purification

Targeted Purification and Quality Control (QC)

Crude mRNA undergoes rigorous purification to remove unreacted nucleotides, truncated RNA, and immunogenic dsRNA byproducts.

Stability and Translation Evaluation

Final modified mRNA is tested in vitro: nuclease protection assays for stability, and reporter gene expression in target cell lines for translational yield.

Quality Control & Validation
Delivery & Support

Final Formulation Readiness

Stable, high-efficacy mRNA is prepared per client needs—often lyophilized or in ready-to-use solution—for downstream LNP encapsulation.

Final Deliverables

Upon project completion, clients receive specific, tangible outputs:

  1. Comprehensive QC and Batch Analysis Report: Including HPLC purity data, cap analysis confirmation, and dsRNA content validation.
  2. In Vitro Efficacy and Stability Data: Quantitative graphs and raw numbers detailing translational yield (ng/mL protein) and mRNA half-life in relevant cellular models.
  3. Final Modified mRNA Product: The desired quantity of the fully modified and purified mRNA construct.
Consultation & Design
Sequence Optimization

Estimated Timeframe

The typical timeframe for this custom mRNA modification service ranges from 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the complexity of the sequence, the novelty of the required nucleoside substitutions, and the scale of the synthesis requested.

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What We Can Offer

Creative Biolabs offers an end-to-end mRNA engineering partnership, leveraging our expertise to optimize every aspect of your therapeutic construct for peak performance and safety. Our services are built around flexibility, scalability, and uncompromising quality, ensuring your project moves seamlessly from research to the clinical stage.

Customized Sequence and Element Optimization

We avoid fixed protocols; experts analyze your specific gene and target cell type to optimize UTR elements, coding sequence codon usage, and poly(A) tail length for maximum in vivo translational efficiency and stability.

One-Stop Scale-Up Production

Creative Biolabs offers seamless one-stop service from milligram-scale research batches to multi-gram GMP-grade clinical material. Scalable systems eliminate costly, complex tech transfer between phases.

Precision Capping and Nucleoside Strategy

We ensure the most native-like cap structure. Also, we strategically incorporate non-canonical nucleosides (m1Ψ, Ψ, m5C, m6A derivatives) customized to balance stability, translation, and immune stealth needs.

Efficient Upstream/Downstream Process Development

Our integrated approach includes rapid, high-yield linearized DNA template preparation (upstream) and proprietary high-resolution HPLC-based mRNA purification (downstream) for high integrity and purity in sensitive applications.

Clinical-Grade QC and QbD Compliance

We follow Quality-by-Design (QbD) principles, using high-standard QC tools (HPLC, LC/MS for capping efficiency, dsRNA quantification) to ensure each batch is clinical-trial-ready with a full audited documentation package.

Unmatched dsRNA Removal

Creative Biolabs focuses on minimizing immunogenic dsRNA impurities. Stringent purification protocols and validated quality systems guarantee ultra-low dsRNA content, critical for reducing toxicity and enabling successful clinical outcomes.

Customer Reviews

  • Using Creative Biolabs' Custom mRNA Modification in our heart failure gene therapy research has significantly improved the in vivo persistence of our therapeutic protein. The m1Ψ modification was clearly superior to standard Ψ in maintaining translation without triggering an inflammatory response.

    6 Months Ago, Dr. James Roberts

  • The level of dsRNA contamination in Creative Biolabs' modified mRNA was consistently below the detection threshold, which is crucial for our dendritic cell vaccines. This high purity facilitated a much cleaner and more robust T cell priming result compared to two other major vendors we previously tested.

    Last Quarter, Prof. Mohammed Ali

  • Optimized Cap Structure: We utilized Creative Biolabs' ARCA capping service and saw a marked increase in our target protein expression relative to a standard Cap 0 structure. The co-transcriptional ARCA incorporation was highly efficient, saving us significant time on post-transcriptional capping and purification steps.

    Recent Publication, Dr. Anna Chen

FAQs

Q: How does Creative Biolabs' m1Ψ modified mRNA compare to standard, unmodified IVT mRNA for therapeutics?

A: Unmodified mRNA is rapidly degraded and often triggers a massive inflammatory response, severely limiting its therapeutic viability. Creative Biolabs' m1Ψ-modified mRNA is fundamentally different; it's a stealth molecule. It bypasses TLR sensors, resists cellular degradation pathways, and translates proteins at significantly higher levels. This transformation is critical for in vivo applications, allowing you to achieve therapeutic effects with lower dosing and improved safety.

Q: Is it necessary to modify the 5' cap if I use m1Ψ throughout the body of the mRNA?

A: Absolutely. While m1Ψ handles the bulk of immune evasion and stability, the 5' cap, particularly an ARCA or Cap 1 structure, is required to initiate protein synthesis efficiently and protect against 5' exonucleases. The two modifications work synergistically: m1Ψ prevents the immune system from shutting down translation, and the cap ensures the translation process starts strong and lasts longer.

Q: What is the primary difference between LNP delivery vehicle engineering and mRNA modification? Are both required?

A: Think of mRNA modification as optimizing the engine, and LNP engineering as optimizing the vehicle. mRNA modification (the engine) ensures the transcript is stable and highly active once inside the cell. LNP engineering (the vehicle) ensures the mRNA safely crosses the cell membrane. Both are typically required for successful in vivo therapeutic delivery and efficacy, and Creative Biolabs provides integrated services for both.

Creative Biolabs provides an unparalleled one-stop Custom mRNA Modification platform, specializing in synthesizing, purifying, and modifying high-purity mRNA constructs. Partner with us to efficiently advance your research from bench to clinic.

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Reference

  1. Liu, Albert, and Xiao Wang. "The pivotal role of chemical modifications in mRNA therapeutics." Frontiers in cell and developmental biology 10 (2022): 901510. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.901510. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
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