Topics Congratulating Dr. Katalin Karikó on winning the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

The relentless pursuit of scientific and technological advancement, and the perseverance of Dr. Karikó, have given humanity a powerful weapon against infectious diseases in the form of mRNA vaccines. Without the achievements of Dr. Karikó, we would still be in the throes of a pandemic. Congratulations on your Nobel Prize!

Dr. Karikó’s research paved the way for the development of mRNA vaccines, which were previously thought to be too difficult to achieve. Subsequently, mRNA vaccines have been developed by many researchers, and it is truly remarkable to consider that the first vaccinations were administered just over a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and the Strategic Center of Biomedical Advanced Vaccine Research and Development for Preparedness and Response (SCARDA) work to promote the development of vaccines against infectious diseases, including mRNA vaccines.　One of domestic mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 supported by AMED previously, was launched in August 2023 in Japan.

In preparation for future pandemics, AMED and SCARDA will continue to support research and development to create safe and effective vaccines that can save lives internationally and that can be delivered rapidly in case of infectious disease emergencies.

December 8, 2023
The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
President
MISHIMA Yoshinao, Ph.D.
Director General of SCARDA
HAMAGUCHI Michinari, M.D., Ph.D.