Curevac - Pionieer of mRNA technologySurcharge for the European Commission Vaccine Award

As a leading global biopharmaceutical clinical research company based in Tübingen, Germany, CureVac strives to develop pioneering medicines to protect and improve people's lives. Founded in 2000, CureVac now looks back on two decades of excellence in science and manufacturing in the development of innovative mRNA-based treatments. The mRNA functions as a carrier molecule for the blueprint of various proteins which can be used by the body's immune system to fight infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. CureVac is the very first company in the world to successfully apply mRNA for medical purposes. They succeeded in using mRNA, long considered unstable, as a therapeutic molecule. By doing so, the Tübingen-based company did outstanding pioneering work for the entire field of research. 

In March 2014, the SME won the European Commission's two-million Vaccine Prize.  

The EU launched the award with the aim of finding innovative vaccine technologies that no longer require a cold chain for either the transport or storage of vaccines. CureVac's RNActive® vaccine technology, which is based on the molecule Messenger RNA (mRNA), was able to convince the jury of its potential. 

Support provided by the SEZ 

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum suggested the SME to apply for the award. The company has been relying on the SEZ's services in the field of technology transfer and European research funding since 2007. CureVac is regularly provided with relevant information about potential partners for research and technology transfer via the "European Technology Exchange" of the Enterprise Europe Network.  In addition, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum provides information about EU funding programs, especially Horizon 2020. In this context, the SEZ drew CureVac's attention to the 2012 European Vaccine Prize competition, for which the company promptly applied and subsequently received the award.