25 September 2024, Rio de Janeiro
As a new milestone for the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, the Brazilian mRNA Programme Partner Fiocruz Bio-Manguinhos and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to scale up research and production of a new generation of mRNA vaccines to fight endemic diseases and better preparedness for epidemics. The MoU was signed during the World Health Organization (WHO)/ Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and MPP-organised mRNA Regional R&D meeting in the Americas at Bio-Manguinhos headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The collaboration framework outlined in the MoU, and that builds into the work of the mRNA Programme, includes Bio-Manguinhos identifying and establishing a pipeline of RNA-based vaccines for development, including new targets, improving the formulation of RNA-based vaccines, and testing new lipids synthesized as part of the Programme’s New Lipids Discovery Initiative. Bio-Manghuinos will also support and facilitate the technology transfer of RNA-based vaccines and/or the RNA platform technology from Bio-Manguinhos to Afrigen to further enhance the current platform and other Programme Partners.
Mauricio Zuma Medeiros, Chief Executive Officer of Bio-Manguinhos, said: “This partnership is a critical advancement for Bio-Manguinhos as we grow our capacity and further strengthen our ability to develop and produce innovative mRNA vaccines that align with our commitment to global health equity. Through the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, we are now well positioned to make a tangible impact on endemic diseases and epidemic preparedness, benefiting communities across all low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).”
Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP, said: “The Programme is fortunate to have BioManguinhos as a Partner who has already shown its commitment to making available mRNA technology in LMICs. Today, we are one step closer to achieving the mRNA Programme’s aim of empowering local capabilities, reducing dependencies, and ensuring that essential vaccines are available where they are needed most, especially in the face of emerging health threats.”
Established in 2021, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme brings partners from 15 LMICs together. Bio-Manguinhos and Argentina’s Sinergium are the two Latin American Partners. The Programme aims to contribute to equitable access to mRNA vaccines by increasing the distribution of sustainable manufacturing capacity across LMICs. Since its inception, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has developed and implemented a platform to establish the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in preclinical animal models. Afrigen Vaccines and Biologics in South Africa established an mRNA technology platform, which this collaboration will further enhance. This technology is now being transferred to manufacturing partners to adapt and improve it for other critical disease targets.
The progress made by the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme is vital to WHO and MPP’s efforts to improve the availability, access, and use of mRNA vaccines, thereby advancing vaccine equity globally.
For additional details on the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, please refer to our mRNA Programme Partners’ progress interactive map overview.
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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.