To mark the formal collaboration of a scientific partnership between scientists at Afrigen and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a scientific colloquium hybrid event on enhancing mRNA vaccine production was held on 8 July 2022 in Cape Town and virtually.
The event brought together leading scientists and explored the potential of mRNA technology in addressing much needed vaccines for communicable diseases and beyond.
Various aspects of the Hub Programme were explored:
Panelists:
The event was moderated by Mr. Charles Gore, Executive Director, Medicines Patent Pool.
Access the presentations:
The Challenges and Promise of mRNA in Global Public Health and Medicine
Dr Barney Graham
NIH Collaboration with South Africa
Mr. Gray Handley
Vaccine Research Centre (VRC) – Afrigen Research Collaboration
Dr Karin Bok
VRC/NIAID Pandemic Preparednesss: VRC-Afrigen Research Collaboration
Dr Jason Gall
Press and Media
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to and facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 22 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, a cancer treatment, four long-acting technologies, a post-partum haemorrhage medicine, three oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and 16 COVID-19 technologies.
MPP was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder. MPP’s work on access to essential medicines is also funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Canada, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.