SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine ARCT-021

**Semantic type:** Immunologic Factor|Nucleic Acid, Nucleoside, or Nucleotide|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A vaccine consisting of a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) encapsulating a self-transcribing and replicating messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) prefusion spike glycoprotein (SP), with potential immunizing and anti-COVID-19 activities. Upon administration of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine ARCT-021, the LNPs bind to the plasma membrane of nearby cells and release SARS-CoV-2 SP mRNA into the cells. The mRNA is then translated by the cellular protein translation machinery to produce SARS-CoV-2 SP. This may activate both humoral and cellular immune responses, and may provide active immunization against SARS-CoV-2 infection. SP, usually found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, plays an essential role in the infection pathway of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

**Synonyms:** - ARCT 021 - ARCT-021 - ARCT-021 COVID-19 Vaccine - ARCT-021 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine - ARCT021 - LUNAR(TM)-COV19 - LUNAR-COV19