In modern medicine, RNA-based therapies are considered promising approaches for preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases. The rapid development of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, demonstrated the potential of these technologies. To discuss the possibilities and limitations of these therapies as well as the latest developments in the field, a specialist working group of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina met in Würzburg on February 24 and 25.
The group comprises leading scientists in the field of RNA research. Over the past few months, the committee has held several meetings to draft a manuscript on the topic of “RNA-based therapies: approaches and potential in medicine.” The group has now met one last time in Würzburg to finalize the text and prepare it for external review. Once the evaluation process has been completed, the statement is scheduled to be published in mid-2026 and will provide policymakers and society with evidence-based information on the opportunities and challenges of RNA-based medicine.
