We Go Fast，You Go Forward
August 20, 2026
Custom IVT mRNA synthesis is an outsourced service that converts a defined genetic sequence into purified, quality-controlled messenger RNA through an in vitro transcription process. Depending on the starting point and project requirements, the service may include gene synthesis, plasmid template preparation, mRNA transcription, purification, analytical testing and final material delivery.
Selecting a service involves more than providing an mRNA coding sequence. Researchers may also need to define the RNA type, sequence length, production scale, cap structure, modified nucleotide options, Poly(A) tail design, purification method and quality-control package. These choices should reflect the current development stage and the intended in vitro or in vivo application.
Quintara Biosciences provides an end-to-end custom IVT mRNA synthesis service extending from gene synthesis to research-ready mRNA. Its platform supports Screening, Research and Preclinical grades, with production scales ranging from 0.2 mg to 100 mg and complete end-to-end projects delivered in as fast as three weeks, depending on scope.
IVT stands for in vitro transcription. In an IVT workflow, a prepared DNA template is used to generate an RNA transcript outside a living cell.
The DNA template and the resulting mRNA serve different functions:
The template DNA contains the sequence that directs transcription.
The IVT mRNA is the RNA product generated from that template.
After transcription, the DNA template must be removed during downstream processing.
The purified mRNA is then prepared for the intended research application.
A custom synthesis project allows researchers to specify the sequence and select project-specific structural or chemical options. At Quintara Biosciences, available configurations include conventional mRNA and self-amplifying RNA, commonly abbreviated as saRNA. Researchers can also discuss capping strategies, modified nucleotides, Poly(A) tail lengths, purification methods and testing packages during project design.
Quintara Biosciences’ service is designed to support preclinical development, including both in vitro and in vivo studies. The listed service grades allow researchers to begin with small screening batches and progress toward larger research or preclinical quantities without treating every project as the same fixed package.
Quintara Biosciences organizes its IVT mRNA workflow into five connected stages:
The exact starting point can depend on whether the customer already has a suitable template or requires an end-to-end project.
When a project begins with a target sequence rather than an existing DNA template, gene synthesis provides the starting construct for the downstream workflow.
Quintara Biosciences emphasizes fast turnaround and a high level of sequence accuracy at this stage. The synthesized sequence can then move into plasmid preparation before IVT mRNA production begins.
Researchers should confirm the intended coding sequence and any required structural elements before production. Any sequence or construct customization should be discussed during quote design so that the proposed workflow reflects the downstream application.
The plasmid provides the DNA template used during in vitro transcription. Quintara Biosciences offers an available free-to-operate, or FTO, plasmid backbone and stable Poly(A) tail options as part of its template preparation capabilities.
This stage is important because the template configuration must be compatible with the intended mRNA structure and transcription strategy. Quintara Biosciences’ platform also offers a recommended 100A Poly(A) tail and customized tail lengths of up to 120A.
FTO in this context means free to operate. Quintara Biosciences presents its FTO backbone, proprietary AG cap analog and other available alternatives as options for projects in which intellectual-property planning is relevant. However, specific construct and licensing requirements should be discussed directly during project evaluation rather than assumed from a standard package.
During the synthesis stage, the prepared DNA template is used to produce mRNA through in vitro transcription.
Quintara Biosciences offers both mRNA and saRNA synthesis across all three service grades. Its platform includes dsRNA-reduced synthesis options and non-infringing cap and enzyme options. The service supports both co-transcriptional and enzymatic capping approaches.
Available co-transcriptional capping options listed by Quintara Biosciences include partner-supplied Cap 1 structures and AG, AG with 3′ OMe, AU and a proprietary FTO-guaranteed AG analog. Enzymatic capping is available through a vaccine capping system.
The available modified nucleotide options include:
m1ψ-UTP
ψ-UTP
m5C&ψ
m6A
These options should not be treated as interchangeable defaults. The appropriate cap, nucleotide composition and transcript design should be selected according to the construct and intended research application.
The IVT reaction does not produce only the desired mRNA. Downstream processing is therefore required before the product can be delivered for research use.
According to Quintara Biosciences’ service workflow, the reaction mixture is first treated with DNase I to degrade the DNA template. Depending on the selected service configuration, mRNA can then be purified using LiCl precipitation or a silica membrane process. RNase-free water is used during elution, and the final material is sterile-filtered before aliquoting.
For scaled production, Quintara Biosciences uses industrialized oligo(dT) chromatography and tangential flow filtration to capture and further process Poly(A)-tailed mRNA. The service page lists three principal purification options:
· LiCl precipitation
· Silica membrane purification
· Oligo(dT) purification
The chosen method is closely connected to the material grade. Screening and Research Grade projects use different purification configurations from larger Preclinical Grade batches.
Quality-control requirements vary according to the development stage. Quintara Biosciences applies phase-appropriate testing rather than using the same complete panel for every project.
Potential quality attributes listed on the service page include:
Appearance
RNA length
RNA content
Poly(A) tail length
pH
Buffer specification
A260/A280 purity
Capping efficiency
Size-based purity and integrity by capillary electrophoresis
Total protein residue
Residual plasmid DNA
dsRNA
Endotoxin
Bioburden
Not every test is automatically included in every grade. Some are standard, some are optional and others are reserved for more advanced material grades. Quintara Biosciences therefore recommends tailored testing packages based on the project stage and research needs.
The standard deliverables listed for all three grades are individual cryotubes and a Certificate of Analysis. For Preclinical Grade mRNA, automated capillary electrophoresis is used to evaluate full-length integrity, with results documented in a Report of Analysis.
The main differences among Quintara Biosciences’ three grades are production scale, purification method, intended development stage and release testing.
All three grades support mRNA and saRNA with listed sequence lengths from 0 to 15 kb. Quintara Biosciences notes that an additional fee may apply when the sequence is longer than 7 kb.
The turnaround periods in the table cover only the mRNA synthesis service. They do not automatically include upstream gene synthesis, plasmid preparation or the full end-to-end project. Quintara Biosciences states that complete projects from gene synthesis to research-ready IVT mRNA can be delivered in as fast as three weeks, while the exact total timeline must be confirmed for the individual project.
Screening Grade is intended for early, high-throughput evaluation where researchers may need to compare multiple constructs before selecting lead candidates.
Its smaller 0.2 mg and 0.5 mg scales can be considered for early-stage work in which the primary objective is preliminary construct screening rather than larger in vivo studies.
The grade uses LiCl precipitation or silica membrane purification and includes the core assessments of concentration, purity and integrity.
Research Grade is intended for lead optimization, in vitro studies and initial process-development work.
Its 1–10 mg scale provides more material than Screening Grade and adds pH and endotoxin testing to the listed standard QC package. It may be suitable when a project has advanced beyond initial construct screening but does not yet require a 20–100 mg preclinical batch.
Preclinical Grade is produced through a scalable industrial process and is suitable for animal studies. It uses oligo(dT) chromatography and provides enhanced quality control, including full-length integrity analysis by capillary electrophoresis.
Quintara Biosciences lists a production range of 20–100 mg for this grade. For needs beyond the listed preclinical scale, the company also indicates that GMP-grade CDMO services are available.
A custom project should be designed around more than the coding sequence. The following parameters can affect the proposed workflow.
Quintara Biosciences supports conventional mRNA and self-amplifying RNA, or saRNA. The required RNA type should be identified before quote design because the constructs and production requirements may differ.
The listed service range is 0–15 kb for Screening, Research and Preclinical Grade projects. Sequences longer than 7 kb may be subject to an additional fee.
Researchers should provide the complete sequence length rather than only the length of the protein-coding region.
The listed scale ranges are:
0.2 or 0.5 mg for Screening Grade
1–10 mg for Research Grade
20–100 mg for Preclinical Grade
Selecting an unnecessarily large batch may not be appropriate during early screening, while selecting too little material may not support the planned experiments. The required quantity should therefore reflect the number and type of downstream studies.
Quintara Biosciences supports co-transcriptional and enzymatic capping. Its service page lists partner-supplied Cap 1 structures, several cap analog configurations and a proprietary FTO-guaranteed AG analog.
Researchers with a specific capping requirement should identify it during project design. When no configuration has been selected, the Quintara Biosciences team can discuss available options during consultation.
The service supports m1ψ-UTP, ψ-UTP, m5C&ψ and m6A. These options allow the nucleotide composition to be customized, but the most suitable choice depends on the specific project.
The service page specifically notes that pseudouridine and N1-methylpseudouridine modifications can be requested, together with custom cap analogs and Poly(A) tail lengths.
Quintara Biosciences recommends a 100A tail and supports customized tail lengths of up to 120A.
The selected tail requirement should be provided together with the sequence and template information so that it can be incorporated into the proposed construct and production plan.
The required purification and analytical package should match the project stage.
A Screening Grade batch may not need every test available for Preclinical Grade material. Conversely, a larger animal-study project may require more comprehensive integrity and impurity characterization than an early screening project.
Quintara Biosciences offers tailored testing packages and lists optional tests beyond the standard requirements of each grade.
The published 7–12-business-day timelines apply only to the mRNA synthesis stage. A complete project may also include gene synthesis, plasmid preparation, construct customization, specialized purification and expanded quality control.
Factors that should be clarified when discussing a project include:
Whether gene synthesis is required
Whether a suitable plasmid template is already available
mRNA or saRNA selection
Complete sequence length
Requested material grade
Required production scale
Cap selection
Modified nucleotide requirements
Poly(A) tail design
Purification method
Standard or customized QC
Expected delivery schedule
Quintara Biosciences does not present one universal end-to-end timeline for every construct. Customers are advised to contact the team or review the order preview for the complete project schedule.
Preparing a clear project summary can help the Quintara Biosciences team review the request and propose an appropriate service configuration.
1. The target mRNA or saRNA sequence
2. Total sequence length
3. Intended in vitro or in vivo application
4. Current project stage
5. Required Screening, Research or Preclinical Grade
6. Required material quantity
7. Preferred cap configuration
8. Modified nucleotide preference
9. Poly(A) tail requirement
10. Purification expectations
11. Required analytical tests
12. Desired project timeline
These items are project-planning suggestions rather than a universal list of mandatory submission fields. Custom constructs or unusual requirements should be discussed with the Quintara Biosciences mRNA team during quote design.
IVT mRNA synthesis uses a prepared DNA template to generate mRNA through in vitro transcription. The reaction is followed by DNA-template removal, purification, quality control and final aliquoting.
Quintara Biosciences provides an end-to-end workflow that can begin with gene synthesis and plasmid preparation or support a project from a later stage when suitable starting material is already available.
Template DNA carries the sequence used to direct transcription. The mRNA is the RNA transcript produced from that template.
In Quintara Biosciences’ purification process, DNase I treatment is used after IVT to degrade the remaining DNA template before the mRNA moves through subsequent purification steps.
Quintara Biosciences lists 7–10 business days for Screening Grade, 7–10 business days for Research Grade and 10–12 business days for Preclinical Grade.
These timelines apply only to the mRNA synthesis stage. A complete end-to-end project may take longer, although Quintara Biosciences states that research-ready material can be delivered in as fast as three weeks, depending on project scope.
The listed purification options are LiCl precipitation, silica membrane purification and oligo(dT) purification.
For scale-up production, Quintara Biosciences also uses oligo(dT) chromatography and tangential flow filtration to process Poly(A)-tailed mRNA.
Yes. Screening, Research and Preclinical Grade services all support mRNA and saRNA, with listed sequence lengths of up to 15 kb.
The included tests depend on the selected grade. Screening Grade includes core concentration, purity and integrity testing. Research Grade adds endotoxin and pH testing. Preclinical Grade provides enhanced QC, including full-length integrity assessment using capillary electrophoresis.
Additional or optional analyses can be discussed through a tailored testing package.
Quintara Biosciences supplies its custom-synthesized mRNA as a liquid solution shipped on dry ice. For initial use, the user guide recommends thawing the mRNA on ice, briefly centrifuging the tube before opening and dividing the material into single-use aliquots.
For long-term storage, Quintara Biosciences recommends a temperature of −70°C or below. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided, and certified RNase-free reagents, tubes and pipette tips should be used throughout handling.
A custom IVT mRNA synthesis service should be selected according to the project stage, required scale and downstream research needs—not only by the target sequence.
Quintara Biosciences supports an end-to-end pathway from gene synthesis and plasmid preparation through mRNA synthesis, purification and quality control. Its three material grades provide distinct options for early screening, in vitro research, process development and larger preclinical or animal-study projects.
Before starting a project, researchers should define the RNA type, complete sequence length, scale, cap strategy, modified nucleotides, Poly(A) tail, purification method and QC expectations. Establishing these requirements early makes it easier to select an appropriate grade and obtain a realistic project timeline.
For customized constructs, non-standard sequences or projects requiring later-stage scale-up, the next step is to submit the available sequence and project information to Quintara Biosciences for service configuration and quotation.
Discuss a Custom IVT mRNA Project with Quintara Biosciences | View the IVT mRNA Synthesis Service
We Go Fast, You Go Forward
sales.us@quintarabio.com
1-617-789-6111
3563 Investment Blvd, #2, Hayward, CA 94545sales.us@quintarabio.com1-617-789-611165 Grove St, Suite 102, Watertown, MA 02472sales.us@quintarabio.com1-617-789-611110410 Corporate Dr. Suite 118, Sugar Land, TX 77478sales.us@quintarabio.com
1-424-549-091110601 Virginia Avenue, Culver City, CA 90232sales.us@quintarabio.com1-619-823-08956364 Ferris Square, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92121Quintara Biosciences © 2025 All Rights Reserved | Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Login 
Order
Contact Us
Contact Us
