U of Pennsylvania creates NFT to raise money for research

Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania created a non-fungible token, designed after the university’s licensed mRNA modification technology that is used in Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, to help raise money for ongoing research at the university. 

Advertisement

The NFT, dubbed The University of Pennsylvania mRNA NFT: Vaccines for a New Era, was designed by the university, Drew Weissman, MD, PhD, a professor in vaccine research at the University of Pennsylvania, and Katalin Karikó, PhD, professor of neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania and senior vice president at BioNTech, according to a June 21 press release. 

The NFT features a one-minute 3D animation of the type of modified mRNA that protects the immune system from SARS-CoV-2 and the platform technology. It also includes the University of Pennsylvania’s mRNA patent documents and a letter from Dr. Weissman about the ways the mRNA technology platform is being used to fight COVID-19, influenza, herpes, malaria, sickle cell anemia and cancer.

The NFT will be auctioned between July 15 to July 25 with all proceeds going to support research at the university. 

Advertisement

Next Up in Health IT

Advertisement

Comments are closed.