The Rise of mRNA Technology in Europe’s Biotech Industry: Opportunities and Talent Needs

The biotechnology industry in Europe is undergoing a transformation driven by the advancement of mRNA technology. Once an obscure area of molecular biology, mRNA (or messenger RNA) has become one of the most promising platforms for vaccine development and therapeutic applications. In addition to vaccines, mRNA-based treatments are advancing in areas such as oncology, immunotherapy, and genetic disorders, with researchers exploring applications that could revolutionise medicine. Due to this progression, mRNA technology presents immense opportunities for the life sciences sector, but it also brings new challenges, particularly in sourcing and developing specialised talent pipelines.

With over 50 years of experience in engineering and technical recruitment, NES Fircroft is positioned to support biotech companies in attracting and retaining the talent required to drive innovation. This blog explores Europe’s rise as an mRNA leader, the business opportunities it presents, and the changing workforce demands influencing the industry’s future.

What is mRNA Technology?

mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) technology introduces a synthetic mRNA sequence into cells, instructing them to produce specific proteins. These proteins can then trigger an immune response (as in the case of vaccines) or have a therapeutic effect.  As Pfizer explains, mRNA contains the instructions that direct cells to make a protein using its natural machinery, and to enter cells smoothly, mRNA travels within a protective bubble called a Lipid Nanoparticle (nanotechnology). The breakthrough success of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines catapulted mRNA technology into the spotlight, but it has much more potential, which we’re starting to see come to fruition. New, emerging mRNA classes offer several advantages over traditional methods, including faster development times, scalability, and the potential to address a broader range of infectious diseases (Influenza, Malaria, Norovirus), cancer, genetic diseases, and food and environmental allergies (Penn Medicine).

Europe is at the forefront, accounting for the largest market share in mRNA vaccines and the therapeutics industry. While US-based Moderna has raised significant funding, European companies like CureVac, BioNTech (Germany), and eTheRNA (Belgium) were among the first to initiate clinical trials (Labiotech). These companies are pioneering mRNA-based solutions across the region.

Europe’s Growing mRNA Market: Key Countries and Business Developments

The mRNA therapeutics market in Europe is projected to reach $8,704.9 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 14.6% from 2024 to 2030. This demonstrates a strong growth trajectory and the increasing importance of mRNA technology in the European healthcare sector. Key countries include:

• Germany
• United Kingdom
• France
• Belgium

The European Pharmacopoeia (EP) actively supports this growth and has recently adopted three new standards for mRNA vaccine production and quality control. These standards aim to streamline development and ensure the quality of mRNA-based products, further bolstering Europe’s position in the field.

Recent advancements include the approval of Arcturus Therapeutics and CSL’s COVID-19 vaccine KOSTAIVE ® in the EU, the first self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine to receive this clearance. Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines stimulate the body to produce more mRNA and protein, potentially leading to longer-lasting immunity than traditional mRNA vaccines. Moderna has also been awarded a tender to supply its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to numerous countries in the European Union.

Opportunities and Talent Needs

The rise in mRNA technology is creating numerous prospects for businesses and professionals. As the sector observes immense value in R&D, this will create opportunities for clinical and market approvals in 2025. However, companies must address a major bottleneck—a lack of specialised talent—to continue the sector’s success.

Some of the most in-demand roles include:

• Virologists
• Immunologists
• Molecular Biologists
• Clinical Researchers
• Regulatory Affairs Specialists
• Bioengineers
• Data Scientists
• Lab Technicians
• Biomanufacturing Specialists

The increasing demand for these job positions has led to a skills gap across clinical and technical disciplines, particularly in the UK, hindering the country's ability to fully capitalise on mRNA developments. Although the UK is projected to experience the highest CAGR from 2024 to 2030 in the sector, it still must address this gap. This requires a multi-faceted approach to talent acquisition and workforce retention. A recent report highlighted that the UK lacks critical expertise across research, development, manufacturing, and regulation, which is expected also to be an issue in other nations. To bridge this gap, companies must prioritise:

• Mandatory Research Experience/University Collaboration – Integrate hands-on research into the curriculum for medicine, life sciences, and bioengineering students to attract new talent in the sector.
• Defined Career Pathways—Establish clear career progression routes for non-clinical professionals, including bioengineers, data scientists, and biomanufacturing specialists, to ensure long-term engagement in the sector.
• Upskilling Initiatives—Provide targeted training in advanced manufacturing techniques and emerging trends for the existing biopharmaceutical workforce through apprenticeships and short courses to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
• Strengthening Regulatory Expertise – Address the skills gap within regulatory agencies to expedite the approval process for new mRNA-based therapies.

Furthermore, the emergence of self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) technology, as demonstrated by recent advancements from Arcturus Therapeutics and CSL, presents a next-generation solution that provides longer-lasting immunity with smaller doses. This progress will require increasingly sophisticated manufacturing and regulatory expertise.

How We Can Help You Build a Technical mRNA Workforce

NES Fircroft is committed to supporting biotech companies in overcoming talent shortages and achieving their growth ambitions. With a global presence and offices across Europe’s key biotech locations, we provide specialist recruitment solutions for the life science sector, ensuring businesses can access top talent in a highly competitive labour market. Our discipline-specific recruiters provide workforce strategies across the entire mRNA value chain, from R&D to regulatory compliance and manufacturing.

Whether you require contract, interim, or permanent contractors for short-projects and long-term developments, we can support you. Get in touch with our expert life sciences recruitment team today.