Ethris and DZIF Forge Alliance for Next-Gen mRNA Vaccines

MUNICH, Germany – February 09, 2026 – German biotechnology firm Ethris and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) have launched a strategic collaboration aimed at developing a new generation of mRNA-based vaccines, a move designed to transcend the limitations of current technologies and build a more proactive defense against infectious diseases.

The partnership combines Ethris’s clinically-validated mRNA platforms with DZIF’s extensive network of over 700 scientists, signaling a significant national effort to combat future pandemics, antimicrobial resistance, and persistent global health threats.

Beyond First-Generation Vaccines: The Technological Leap

The rapid development of first-generation mRNA vaccines was a landmark achievement in modern medicine, but their deployment highlighted logistical and biological challenges, including ultra-cold chain requirements and reactogenicity. The Ethris-DZIF collaboration is built on overcoming these very hurdles.

“First-generation mRNA vaccines fundamentally changed how we prevent infectious diseases, but they represent only the first step,” said Dr. Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris, in the official announcement.

At the core of this new initiative are Ethris’s proprietary SNIM®RNA and SNaP LNP® technologies. The Stabilized Non-Immunogenic mRNA (SNIM®RNA) platform addresses a key issue with RNA: its tendency to trigger the body's innate immune sensors. By chemically modifying the mRNA to be "invisible" to these sensors, the technology allows for repeated dosing without inducing unwanted inflammation. This is critical not only for boosting vaccine efficacy but also for potential therapeutic applications requiring multiple administrations.

Complementing this is the Stabilized NanoParticle (SNaP LNP®) platform, a sophisticated delivery system. These proprietary lipid nanoparticles are engineered for enhanced thermostability, with Ethris demonstrating up to 15-month room-temperature stability for a spray-dried inhaled drug product. This breakthrough could eliminate the need for the costly and complex ultra-cold supply chains that hampered initial COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, dramatically improving global access. Furthermore, the SNaP LNP® technology is optimized for targeted delivery, particularly via inhalation, enabling the development of nasal vaccines that can generate robust mucosal immunity directly at the pathogen's point of entry.

“Together with DZIF, we are focused on developing a new generation of mRNA vaccines designed to provide broader and more durable protection beyond individual respiratory viruses,” Dr. Rudolph added. “Our goal is to move vaccination from a largely reactive response to emerging crises toward a proactive, sustainable approach to long-term protection.”

A Strategic National Effort for Global Health Security

This collaboration is more than a corporate partnership; it represents a strategic investment by Germany in its public health infrastructure and its role in global health security. The DZIF is a national powerhouse, uniting 35 research institutes to translate cutting-edge science into medical solutions. Its research portfolio is vast, covering everything from emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance to long-standing challenges like tuberculosis, HIV, and malaria.

By granting DZIF access to its advanced mRNA platform, Ethris is equipping this national research engine with a powerful new tool. This allows DZIF’s scientists to apply a rapid-response, variant-ready technology to a wide spectrum of pathogens.

“Our mission is to translate cutting-edge infection research into medical solutions that benefit patients, especially where current prevention and treatment options fall short,” stated Dr. Klaus Schwamborn, Head of Vaccine Development at DZIF. “The collaboration with Ethris provides access to an advanced mRNA technology platform that can be applied to emerging pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and patient groups with limited vaccine response, while accelerating the path of promising concepts toward clinical evaluation.”

This synergy positions Germany to not only respond more effectively to future pandemics but also to tackle persistent infectious diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the immunocompromised, for whom traditional vaccines may be less effective.

A New Model for Accelerating Vaccine Development

The alliance between Ethris and DZIF exemplifies a modern, efficient model for pharmaceutical innovation, bridging the gap between commercial biotechnology and publicly funded research. This structure is designed to overcome the infamous "valley of death," where promising laboratory discoveries often languish due to a lack of resources or a clear path to clinical development.

Ethris brings a clinically-validated platform to the table. Its lead candidate, ETH47, an inhaled mRNA therapeutic for virus-induced asthma, is already in Phase 2a trials. Data from its Phase 1 study successfully demonstrated the platform's ability to deliver mRNA to the lungs and produce a therapeutic protein locally without systemic side effects, providing crucial proof-of-concept for its safety and targeted delivery mechanism.

Furthermore, Ethris has established a robust manufacturing ecosystem with industry-leading partners. Patheon UK, part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, and specialty chemicals giant Evonik Operations GmbH will provide the industrial-scale, quality-controlled manufacturing of mRNA and lipid nanoparticles. This pre-existing infrastructure is vital for rapidly advancing vaccine candidates from preclinical research into human trials.

DZIF, in turn, provides the deep scientific expertise and diverse research pipeline. Its scientists can now identify high-priority pathogens from their research programs and rapidly design and test novel mRNA vaccine candidates using Ethris’s proven platform, dramatically shortening development timelines. This integrated approach ensures that the most promising scientific concepts are paired with the technological and manufacturing capabilities needed to turn them into viable medical products.

Navigating the Path from Lab to Clinic

While the technological promise is significant, the ultimate success of the collaboration will hinge on navigating the complex clinical and regulatory landscape. The experience with Ethris's lead program, ETH47, provides a valuable roadmap. The successful completion of its Phase 1 trial not only de-risks the technology for investors and partners but also provides regulators at agencies like the European Medicines Agency (EMA) with a foundational dataset on the platform's safety and mechanism of action.

The focus on differentiated delivery methods, such as inhalation and nasal sprays, positions the collaboration at the forefront of vaccine innovation. Creating vaccines that can be administered without needles and that generate mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract is considered a holy grail for preventing the transmission of airborne viruses.

In a competitive landscape where major players like Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech are also expanding their mRNA pipelines, Ethris’s specialization in non-immunogenic, highly stable, and respiratory-targeted RNA therapies provides a clear strategic advantage. By focusing on these next-generation attributes, the collaboration is not aiming to simply replicate existing vaccines but to create fundamentally better ones. The partnership with DZIF ensures that this advanced technology will be directed at the most pressing public health challenges, from the next pandemic threat to the silent crisis of antimicrobial resistance.