5 February 2026
Statement delivered by Mila Maistat, Senior Manager, Policy, Strategy and Market Access
Statement at the 158th session of the Executive Board
Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) notes the report’s emphasis on the gaps in production of essential vaccines and health technologies.
A concrete example of response to the gaps is the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, jointly led by WHO and MPP with participation of 15 countries. Initially established to address inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the Programme now provides a practical platform to strengthen regional manufacturing capacity and future pandemic preparedness.
Significant progress has been achieved: establishment of Technology Transfer Center, global network of 16 manufacturers, sharing of an mRNA technology platform, and creation of manufacturing capacity in countries.
The Programme is now well positioned to contribute to pandemic preparedness, with potential production exceeding 1.9 billion vaccine doses by 2030. In the context of funding gaps and constrained operational capacity, leveraging this proven initiative is essential to strengthen health-system resilience and ensure tangible and equitable impact.
Know more about the mRNA TT programme
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.