Celestial Therapeutics Announces Promising Results on its Novel Next-Generation mRNA Platform
Celestial Therapeutics Inc. (“Celestial”), an innovative biotechnology company developing next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics leveraging its novel platform technologies is pleased to announce promising preclinical results on its novel next-generation mRNA platform.
Celestial has developed a novel approach to make a new class of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics that are significantly safer and better than existing mRNA vaccines and therapeutics currently on the market by enhancing the therapeutic index of mRNA products by making them safer and more effective. Celestial’s novel approach significantly enhances immunogenicity while at the same time, significantly reducing reactogenicity based on its novel approach of selective agonism of specific pattern recognition receptors by way of RIG-I agonism to boost immunogenicity and Toll Like Receptor (TLR) antagonism to reduce reactogenicity. Celestial used Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) as a model pathogen in its preclinical studies conducted in collaboration with Dr. Justin Richner at University of Illinois, Chicago and demonstrated that its lead CHIKV mRNA vaccine candidate was safer and led to a significant decrease in injection site inflammation and cellularity in the draining lymph nodes while at the same time, significantly enhancing immunogenicity with >40-fold higher serum neutralization titers at a low dose of 0.5 micrograms in mice as compared to a benchmark CHIKV vaccine. Celestial’s approach could help lead to the development of safer and more effective next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics at low doses which could lead to a reduction in costs and broader use of mRNA products worldwide.
Dr. Ajay Gupta, Celestial’s CEO presented the latest data on Celestial’s novel next-generation mRNA platform at the recent 5th Annual mRNA-based therapeutics summit held in Boston from July 21 – 23, 2025 where he was an invited speaker. Dr. Gupta’s presentation and data on Celestial’s mRNA platform received positive reception by industry leaders and attendees at the summit.
Celestial’s mRNA platform validation work has been funded by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), an innovative partnership between public, private, philanthropic, and civil organizations, launched in 2017, to develop vaccines against future epidemics. Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines and other biologic countermeasures against epidemic and pandemic threats so they can be accessible to all people in need.
Data from the preclinical Chikungunya mRNA vaccine study based on Celestial’s mRNA platform is expected to be published shortly.
About Celestial Therapeutics
Celestial is a California based startup biotechnology company developing a first in class of a new class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, a new class of dual-modal antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs and novel mRNA vaccines & therapeutics for conditions which currently lack safe and effective treatments. Celestial’s mission is to effectively treat respiratory infections & inflammatory conditions, cancers, reduce healthcare costs and address unmet medical needs. Founded in 2019, Celestial has rapidly built a diverse portfolio based on its innovative innate immunity platform technologies. Celestial’s lead therapeutic candidate, CT-02, is being developed as a first-ever broad spectrum dual-modal antiviral & anti-inflammatory inhalation therapeutic for treating lung infections due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Celestial’s new mRNA vaccine, CT-03 is being developed for the prevention of viral infections arising from Chikungunya leveraging its novel and proprietary next-generation mRNA platform. Celestial’s anti-inflammatory therapeutics have the potential to provide safer and more effective alternative treatments to the existing steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories currently on the market. The Celestial team consists of industry veterans and prominent academicians with a proven track record.
To learn more, visit https://www.celestialtherapeutics.com
Contacts:
Celestial Therapeutics
Leontis Teryazos – CFO