16 April 2025
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) warmly welcomes the successful conclusion of negotiations by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) on the WHO Pandemic Agreement. This milestone marks a significant step toward a more equitable and effective global response to future pandemics.
Many provisions of the agreement closely align with MPP’s mission and reflect strong recognition of the importance of achieving equitable access to essential health products during pandemics through mechanisms such as licensing and technology transfer. MPP stands ready to support the implementation of the agreement through our proven model, expertise, and partnerships.
We are particularly encouraged by the agreement’s emphasis on sustainable and geographically diversified local production (Article 10), as well as licensing and technology transfer (Article 11). Alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), MPP co-established and co-leads the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, which is building mRNA product manufacturing capacity in a network of 15 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This initiative is a practical embodiment of the principles enshrined in the agreement and contributes directly to global health security and pandemic resilience.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MPP demonstrated the real-world value of its model by rapidly negotiating and implementing non-exclusive licences for three novel antivirals—nirmatrelvir/ritonavir from Pfizer, molnupiravir from MSD, and ensitrelvir fumaric acid from Shionogi—to facilitate affordable access in LMICs. These licences provided important lessons on what needs to happen to make licensing and technology transfer work effectively to contribute to equitable access in health emergencies.
Provisions on access conditions in publicly funded R&D and procurement contracts (Articles 9 and 13bis) are also critical, as they reinforce the importance of embedding equitable access principles throughout the product development lifecycle. MPP has worked extensively in this space, partnering with leading universities, public research institutions and funders to incorporate affordable access plan provisions into agreements on early-stage health technologies. This approach could facilitate earlier licensing and technology transfer, laying the foundation for timely and equitable access in future pandemics.
As the world looks ahead to operationalising this historic agreement, MPP reaffirms its commitment to supporting countries and partners in realising the objectives of achieving timely and equitable access to health products during future pandemics. MPP thank Member States and the WHO for their leadership and look forward to working collaboratively to translate the principles of the agreement into impact.
More information on our work in pandemic preparedness
More information on our work in upstream access
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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.