Highlights of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme event in Cape Town, 19-21 Nov 2024

Reflections from the Cape Town Meeting on the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme – 19-21 November 2024

By Zacharia Kafuko
Africa Director, 1Day Sooner

“Thank you so much for the opportunity to reflect on the important discussions held during the meeting in Cape Town in November. This gathering was a powerful reminder of the progress we are making and the direction we are heading. The principles of equity remained central throughout the discussions, underlining how this programme goes beyond transferring technical know-how. It is about empowering LMICs with the skills, tools, and resilience to prepare for the future. What stood out to me most was the hope this programme brings—it signals that the landscape of pandemic preparedness and access to health technologies in LMICs will never be the same again. The site visits, the voices of community health workers, and the validation of the mRNA platform’s efficacy showed that what we are building here has the potential to save lives, transform health systems, and shift the global narrative around equity and innovation.

Part 1: Progress of the Programme

The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has made remarkable strides since its inception. Rooted in principles of equity, it seeks to correct the inequities laid bare during the COVID-19 pandemic by building capacity and empowering LMICs to take control of their own vaccine manufacturing..

Key milestones discussed include:

• The successful transfer of technology from Afrigen to Biovac, a pivotal step toward enabling LMICs to independently produce vaccines and that this transfer is now continuing to the 14 partners over the next year.
• Validation of vaccine safety and efficacy of AFRIVAC 2121developed by Afrigen, confirming the mRNA platform’s readiness for broader application.

These achievements prove that the mRNA platform works, and not just from a technical standpoint. It is safe, it is efficacious, and it demonstrates that LMICs have the capacity to produce vaccines for their own populations. This is the moment where we begin to see practical capacity taking shape—no longer theoretical, but real, validated, and ready for broader application.

Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout these discussions. Ensuring long-term impact requires:

• Political commitment to create supportive policies and regulatory frameworks, along with sustained funding.
• Market creation and affordability, ensuring that vaccines reach those who need them most.
• Diversified funding sources, including philanthropic contributions and innovative financing mechanisms.
• The active role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in advocacy and accountability, maintaining momentum and ensuring equitable access.

By embedding these elements, the programme can achieve its mission of creating a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem for vaccine development and production.

Part 2: Global Context and the Focus on Tuberculosis

The discussions also explored the broader context in which this programme operates. As Precious Matsoso presented, the ongoing work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) on a WHO pandemic treaty reminds us that the need for equity, solidarity, and sustainable production of health products has never been more urgent. The treaty’s goals—to establish a rule-based system that ensures access to pandemic-related health products and strengthens global preparedness—align seamlessly with what this programme is achieving on the ground.

Dr Anban Pillay brought South Africa’s G20 presidency into the conversation, highlighting how this platform serves as a prime example of innovation aligned with global strategies. By focusing on health challenges specific to the Global South, the programme exemplifies the potential of solidarity and collaboration in transforming health outcomes for underserved populations. This also underscores the point that for this programme to succeed, solidarity and collaboration need to be intentional.

A key spotlight was on tuberculosis, a public health emergency that continues to devastate regions like South Africa. The work of the South African mRNA Vaccine Consortium (SAMVAC), along with institutions like the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, is showing us how mRNA technology can provide a fresh approach to tackling this disease. This is not just about addressing the epidemic itself, but also the socio-economic challenges that fuel it. The collaboration and innovations we discussed offer a glimmer of hope for communities that have borne the brunt of this crisis for far too long.

Part 3: Site Visits

The site visits to Afrigen and Biovac brought the discussions to life. At Afrigen, we saw a fully operational end-to-end facility capable of pre-clinical and early-stage vaccine development. This was not just a technical demonstration—it was a validation of what can happen when expertise, infrastructure, and commitment come together in an LMIC context.

Biovac opened its doors, showcasing its readiness for R&D and to scale up to large-scale production. This is the bridge between development and real-world impact—ensuring that the products from this platform are accessible and affordable to the populations that need them.

The visit to the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation in Masiphumelele was, in many ways, the most humbling. Listening to community health workers share their stories reminded me of the heavy burden that still exists in these communities. It also reinforced why this work is so important—because it’s not just about the science or the technology; it’s about the people whose lives we are trying to change.

Conclusion

This meeting underscored why this Programme matters. It is not just about responding to pandemics or addressing endemic diseases like TB—it is about building a future where LMICs are no longer at the mercy of global supply chains or inequitable systems. This is about empowerment, resilience, and hope. As we continue this journey, let us remember that sustainability, equity, and collaboration are not just goals—they are the pillars that will carry us forward. The progress we’ve made is a testament to what is possible when we work together. The future will not look like the past, and that is something we can all take pride in.

20 November 2024, Cape Town – The groundbreaking mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, launched in 2021, has achieved what was once unthinkable: from zero mRNA manufacturing capabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2020, the initiative is positioned towards establishing 11 state-of-the-art good manufacturing practices (GMP) certified mRNA manufacturing facilities across 10 countries by 2030 and a further five facilities following later.

With all manufacturers in the Programme working on R&D across various diseases, this network is designed to meet the Global South’s R&D and mRNA vaccine needs. It stands ready to respond to any future pandemic to secure mRNA vaccine access across continents.“