# Capless mRNA for use as a vaccine

> **NIH NIH R41** · COMPOVAX, LLC · 2024 · $294,877

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The success of mRNA vaccines in controlling the COVID 19 pandemic has confirmed the efficacy of mRNA and
has also provided a blueprint on how to construct these vectors in terms of structure and cost. We have recently
developed a new mRNA platform that, unlike current mRNA vaccines/therapeutics, does not require a 5’ cap to
function, dramatically reducing the cost. More efficient at protein translation than canonical (capped) mRNA
vectors, these mRNA vectors initiate translation from an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) and contain a
specially designed self-folding secondary structure to protect the 5’ end against degradation, significantly
improving its stability and protein expression. The produced mRNA does not require any additional modifications
to be functional. This makes this mRNA design attractive for use as a vaccine or therapeutic.
In this STTR Phase I proposal, investigators at CompoVax and the University of South Alabama will test this
(capless) mRNA design as a vaccine and compare it against a classical (capped) mRNA vaccine in mice. The
vaccines will express either the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or the Influenza A hemagglutinin surface protein.
The proposal will provide evidence that this capless mRNA vaccine platform can generate a robust immune
response and can be used as an affordable substitution to current mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10915921
- **Project number:** 1R41AI179367-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** COMPOVAX, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN W FOUTY
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $294,877
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-08 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10915921

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10915921, Capless mRNA for use as a vaccine (1R41AI179367-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10915921. Licensed CC0.

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