The rabies vaccine market in China still holds significant growth potential, with rapid technological iteration and upgrades. Companies and research institutions, including AIM Vaccines and CureVac, have already developed novel mRNA rabies vaccines. Recently, a research team from China Pharmaceutical University published a study in the journal Molecular Therapy, indicating that mRNA vaccines can induce high-level virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNA), sustained humoral and cellular responses, and immunological memory in rhesus macaques at a low dose, with good safety. It can also provide full protection against lethal rabies virus attacks in mice. 

Not long ago, AIM Vaccines/Li Fanda, in collaboration with the National Institute of Viral Disease Control and Prevention, published an evaluation of the protective efficacy and safety of their independently developed mRNA rabies candidate vaccine LVRNA001 across different animal models. Studies have shown that repeated administration of LVRNA001 in crab-eating macaques, dogs, and rats does not cause systemic toxicity. It can effectively induce a strong specific immune response against the rabies virus while maintaining a relatively safe profile, indicating that LVRNA001 is a promising rabies vaccine candidate.

Previously, CureVac published a study in Nature Communications on the protective efficacy of mRNA rabies vaccines in rhesus macaque models and conducted a head-to-head comparison trial with the licensed inactivated vaccine Rabipur. Compared to Rabipur, the mRNA vaccine encoding RABV-G induced higher levels of cross-neutralizing antibodies and broader reactive antibody protection.  

Analyses suggest that rabies virus (RABV) vaccines based on fully inactivated viruses have saved countless lives in the human fight against rabies. Although highly effective human rabies vaccines and immunoglobulins are available for post-exposure prophylaxis, they are not necessarily accessible or available in regions with high demand. Currently, the only approved type of rabies vaccine is inactivated, with limited immunogenicity. The World Health Organization recommends a three-dose immunization schedule for pre-exposure prophylaxis and four to five doses for post-exposure prophylaxis. These complex immunization schedules impose a significant burden on high-risk populations in low-income and remote areas.  

Data show that the domestic rabies vaccine market is expected to grow to 10.1 billion yuan by 2026. With a large number of dogs, high mobility, and low registration and management rates nationwide, the task of rabies prevention and control remains challenging. Until the vaccination rate of veterinary rabies vaccines in China reaches a high level, post-exposure prophylaxis measures remain necessary after animal bites, indicating that the rabies vaccine market in China still holds significant growth potential.  

mRNA vaccine production is rapid and cost-effective, with flexibility in antigen design, making it an important pathway for preventive vaccine R&D. Internationally, mRNA rabies vaccines under R&D have shown good protective effects and tolerability in existing studies.