<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/vertex-drops-moderna-partnered-inhaled-cystic-fibrosis-candidate-after-unresolved" hreflang="en">Vertex drops Moderna-partnered inhaled cystic fibrosis candidate after unresolved tolerability issues</a>
fiercebiotech.com·May 4, 2026
Vertex Pharmaceuticals has discontinued the development of VX-522, an inhaled mRNA therapy for cystic fibrosis, due to persistent tolerability issues, specifically lung inflammation linked to the delivery system. Despite this setback, Vertex remains committed to developing treatments for all cystic fibrosis patients.
The termination of Vertex and Moderna's inhaled mRNA therapy for cystic fibrosis due to unresolved tolerability issues highlights the critical challenge of delivery mechanisms in mRNA therapeutics. For professionals in healthtech and biotech, this underscores the importance of investing in and developing innovative delivery technologies to overcome such barriers and advance the mRNA pipeline across various modalities.