Self-amplifying RNA (“saRNA”), also termed self-replicating RNA (“srRNA”), and self-amplifying mRNA (“sa-mRNA” or “samRNA”) are synonymous terms. Both refer to a synthetic mRNA molecule engineered to replicate itself within host cells. Vaccines using this self-replicating technology are also called “replicon” vaccines.
In November 2023, Japan approved the use of the first saRNA vaccine against covid. The vaccine is called Kostaive and is also known as ARCT-154 or, in Vietnam, VBC-COV19-154. It is a CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics vaccine. At the time of the approval, researchers were hopeful that this was only the beginning for saRNA treatments for infectious diseases and even cancers. The vaccine, which the Japanese are referring to as the “third atomic bomb,” began to be rolled out in Japan in October 2024 as part of its autumn covid vaccination programme.
There is only explicit mention of Kostaive using STARR mRNA technology. However, it is likely that the Kostaive “vaccine” uses both of Arcturus Therapeutics’ proprietary technologies: STARR (self-transcribing and replicating RNA) mRNA technology and LUNAR (lipid-mediated universal RNA delivery) delivery system.
LUNAR is a nanoparticle delivery system that enables the efficient and targeted delivery of mRNA to cells. STARR is a self-replicating RNA platform that combines with LUNAR to drive “therapeutic” protein expression.
Hellbound and Down 