Pandemic Tech Finds New Life in Cancer Treatment and Beyond

It's been six years since COVID-19 emerged, and technologies developed during the pandemic are being repurposed for various applications. One such example is messenger RNA, which was under development for decades but gained significant momentum during the pandemic. The equipment and expertise assembled for mass-producing mRNA vaccines are now being put to use in cancer treatment.

Moderna and Merck recently announced a late-stage trial of an mRNA treatment for melanoma, which showed promising results. This technology uses mutations found in a patient's tumor to create a personalized vaccine that trains the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.

While not all COVID-19 technologies are finding new life, some have already reached pharmacies. Moderna's mRNA vaccine for RSV has been approved for adults 60 and older, and an mRNA-based flu vaccine, mFlusiva, received regulatory approval in the US last month.

The pandemic also accelerated the development of home testing kits, with a four-in-one antigen test for COVID, flu A, flu B, and RSV now available. Wastewater surveillance, which was used to track COVID-19 cases, is being expanded to monitor other diseases, including antimicrobial resistance and foodborne illnesses.