COVID-19 has emphasized the importance of a faster, cheaper way to combat pandemics. While the traditional vaccine platforms fail to respond rapidly to outbreaks, mRNA technology has shortened the lengthy vaccine development process to less than a year. Considering the average timeline to develop a vaccine from conception to approval is 10-15 years, Moderna and Pfizer-BNT vaccines have accomplished the near-impossible with lightning speed. Unlike inactivated vaccines that are either grown in chicken eggs or cells, mRNA vaccines can be manufactured in a cell-free manner, allowing rapid, scalable, and cost-effective production. Impediments including instability, efficacy, and immunogenicity can be prevented by appropriate design and incorporation of modified nucleosides. In addition to vaccines, the potential for IVT mRNA extends far beyond infectious diseases and into numerous therapeutic areas. The design and manufacturing advantages of mRNA in speed and costs open the door to opportunities for small biotech startups and academic groups.