mRNA technology has been in development and use in humans for decades, with the first clinical trial in 2001.

“In 2001, we have the first clinical trial of this mRNA technology that was made. It was mRNA-induced dendritic cells. In 2009, we have another clinical trial where mRNA was used as a therapeutic. In 2014, there's the first mRNA vaccine in terms of immunotherapy for cancer, so trying to treat cancer with mRNA vaccines. These are all in humans. In 2017, there were 2 clinical trials, one for mRNA-based vaccine for influenza, and another one for mRNA technology used to treat patients with heart...basically had heart failure, and they were injecting mRNA vaccines into their heart.”