Personalized mRNA Vaccines Show Promise for Humans and Pets

Cutting-edge technology faces political and regulatory hurdles in the U.S.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:48am

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The use of messenger RNA (mRNA) technology to develop personalized cancer vaccines has shown promising results, including in the case of a dog named Rosie whose tumors shrank after receiving a custom mRNA vaccine. While mRNA vaccines offer advantages like speed and customization, they face challenges around cost and regulatory approval, especially in the U.S. where government funding for this research has been cut.

Why it matters

mRNA technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine by enabling the development of highly customized treatments for a wide range of diseases. However, the implementation of this technology faces significant political and regulatory obstacles in the U.S., which could hamper its broader adoption and impact on public health.

The details

Rosie, a dog rescued from the Australian bush, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2024. Her owner, tech entrepreneur Paul Conyngham, utilized specialized AI programs and the work of Australian researchers to produce a customized mRNA cancer vaccine for Rosie. The vaccine led to a dramatic reduction in the size of Rosie's tumors, marking the first time a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine has been used for a dog. For humans, more than 100 clinical trials for similar mRNA cancer vaccines have been conducted, showing promise. However, these treatments face limitations, as not all cancers respond well, and they are most effective when used in combination with other therapies. Cost is also a major concern, as personalized mRNA treatments can be prohibitively expensive, in part due to the regulatory challenges of approving individualized therapies.

  • In 2024, Rosie was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
  • Rosie received the personalized mRNA cancer vaccine in 2024.

The players

Paul Conyngham

A tech entrepreneur who utilized AI and research to develop a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine for his dog, Rosie.

Rosie

A dog rescued from the Australian bush who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2024 and received a personalized mRNA cancer vaccine that led to a dramatic reduction in the size of her tumors.

University of New South Wales

The research team that sequenced Rosie's DNA and used AI to suggest a way to attack her cancer cells using mRNA.

Rachel Allavena

A canine immunotherapy professor at the University of Queensland's veterinary school, whose research team administered the mRNA vaccine to Rosie.

David Vail

A doctor who studies the comparative treatment of cancer in animals and humans at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that she had such advanced disease and she got such a good response makes me very, very hopeful.”

— Rachel Allavena, Canine immunotherapy professor, University of Queensland

“Personalized immunotherapy for a single patient is presently an expensive option, both for humans and for dogs.”

— Mark Mamula, Professor, Yale School of Medicine and founder of TheraJan

“You cannot make a return on investment if you don't have access to the U.S. market.”

— Stéphane Bancel, CEO, Moderna (World Economic Forum)

What’s next

The judge in Rosie's case will decide on whether to allow her owner, Paul Conyngham, to continue using the personalized mRNA vaccine as part of her ongoing treatment.

The takeaway

While personalized mRNA vaccines have shown promising results for both humans and pets, their broader adoption faces significant political and regulatory hurdles in the U.S., particularly around cost and the approval process for individualized therapies. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of this cutting-edge technology and improving access to life-saving treatments.