These groundbreaking discoveries by both laureates were instrumental in the rapid development of mRNA vaccines during the early 2020 pandemic, revolutionizing our comprehension of how mRNA interacts with the immune system. Their contributions significantly accelerated vaccine development, addressing one of the most profound global health challenges of our era.

Dr. Katalin Karikó, a Hungarian-American biochemist, specializes in ribonucleic acid-mediated mechanisms, particularly in vitro-transcribed messenger RNA for protein replacement therapy.

Dr. Drew Weissman, an American physician-scientist, is renowned for his contributions to RNA biology, which paved the way for the development of mRNA vaccines, notably those produced by BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna. Dr. Weissman's laboratory in the United States focuses on RNA and innate immune system biology, applying these insights to advance vaccine research and gene therapy.