SAN DIEGO, Calif., June 20, 2026
Replicate Bioscience has secured a $3 million research grant from the Gates Foundation to accelerate the development of next-generation self-replicating RNA (srRNA) vaccine candidates for tuberculosis (TB), further strengthening global efforts to combat one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. The funding marks the company’s third grant from the Gates Foundation and will support the advancement of innovative vaccine candidates designed to provide safe, effective, and globally accessible protection against tuberculosis. Leveraging its clinically validated self-replicating RNA (srRNA) platform, Replicate aims to develop vaccines capable of inducing strong immune responses at significantly lower doses while improving accessibility for populations most affected by TB. The award highlights growing confidence in the potential of RNA-based vaccine technologies beyond COVID-19 and underscores the urgent need for improved solutions against a disease that continues to claim more than one million lives annually worldwide.
Self-Replicating RNA Platform Targets Global TB Challenge
Tuberculosis remains one of the most significant public health threats globally and continues to be the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the disease disproportionately affects individuals in low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare and preventive interventions may be limited. While the existing Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine offers protection against severe forms of tuberculosis in young children, its effectiveness against pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescents and adults remains limited. These shortcomings, combined with the increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant TB strains, have intensified the search for more effective vaccination strategies.
Replicate’s proprietary srRNA platform seeks to address these challenges by enabling enhanced immune activation while requiring lower vaccine doses. The company believes that its technology may offer important advantages over conventional mRNA approaches through improved bioactivity, stronger immune responses, and a potentially superior therapeutic index.
Clinical Progress Supports Broader Vaccine Development
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The Gates Foundation grant builds upon encouraging clinical findings from Replicate’s lead program, RBI-4000, an investigational srRNA rabies vaccine currently in clinical development. According to the company, Phase I data demonstrated protective immunity at doses lower than those reported for existing mRNA or srRNA vaccine candidates, providing important validation of the platform’s capabilities. These findings have strengthened confidence in the broader application of self-replicating RNA technologies across multiple infectious disease indications.
In addition to tuberculosis, Replicate has received previous Gates Foundation funding to advance vaccine candidates targeting HIV and malaria, while also establishing a collaborative agreement with Instituto Butantan to develop and commercialize its srRNA rabies vaccine across Latin America. Together, these initiatives reflect a growing portfolio focused on delivering accessible vaccines for diseases that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations around the world.
Expanding RNA Innovation for Global Health Impact
The latest funding award reinforces the increasing role of RNA therapeutics and vaccine technologies in addressing complex global health challenges. Replicate’s proprietary library of customizable viral vectors and expertise in self-replicating RNA engineering position the company to pursue a diverse pipeline spanning infectious diseases, immunology, immuno-oncology, and other therapeutic areas. By focusing on low-dose vaccine strategies and scalable manufacturing approaches, the company aims to improve affordability and accessibility while supporting worldwide disease prevention efforts. The Gates Foundation’s continued investment reflects confidence in innovative technologies capable of accelerating progress toward global public health goals, including the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy.
As researchers continue to seek more durable and broadly protective tuberculosis vaccines, the development of next-generation srRNA vaccine candidates could play a critical role in reducing transmission, combating drug-resistant infections, and improving health outcomes for millions of people worldwide. The collaboration also demonstrates how strategic funding partnerships can accelerate scientific innovation and help bring transformative healthcare solutions to populations facing the greatest disease burden.
Source: Replicate Bioscience press release
