• Building Vaccine Capacity: From no mRNA vaccine production capabilities in 2020 to 16 manufacturers ready to develop and 11 GMP facilities across 10 countries ready to supply the Global South by 2030.
  • Pandemic Preparedness: The network will be capable of producing at least 60 million doses annually, scalable to two billion in a pandemic.
  • Promoting R&D: WHO, Afrigen and Partner sign MOU with Pennsylvania University to advance mRNA research and development in LMICs.

 

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.

 

The transformative Programme, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), works with the South African Consortium, Afrigen, Biovac, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and the Department of Science and Innovation and Programme Partners in Kenya, Brazil, Indonesia, India, Egypt, Nigeria, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Senegal, Tunisia, Serbia, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Argentina.

 

The Programme, supported by South Africa, France, Belgium, Canada, the European Union, Germany, Norway, and the ELMA Foundation, has propelled LMICs to the forefront of pandemic preparedness. It represents an unprecedented global effort to ensure equitable health solutions, enabling LMICs to respond rapidly and independently to global health crises.

Charles Gore, Executive Director of the Medicines Patent Pool, stated, “From a standing start in 2020, the Programme’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable. After successfully developing a COVID-19 vaccine as proof of concept, the Programme is now expanding to address many other diseases relevant to LMICs. We are now poised to establish a sustainable mRNA vaccine production capacity that will benefit millions across the Global South, truly redefining what health equity can look like on a global scale.”

In a significant step forward, Sinergium Biotech is researching a human avian influenza (H5N1) mRNA vaccine candidate, and four R&D consortia have been formed in Southeast Asia, with more expected across other regions. The vaccines developed through this initiative will be shared across participating LMICs.


Unprecedented Capacity for Pandemic Preparedness and Resilience
With the manufacturing companies across four continents all based in LMICs, the Programme has fundamentally altered the mRNA vaccine production landscape. The initiative is projected to yield at least 60 million doses annually by 2030, with the potential to scale up to larger volumes that could supply up to 2 billion doses in the event of a declared pandemic. Leveraging future dose-reduction technologies, the Programme would have the capacity to cover all the mRNA vaccine requirements of the Global South.

As of December 2024, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has made significant progress, with nearly all site assessments completed. Half of the participating manufacturers have finalised their technology plans, with the remaining plans scheduled for completion by December 2025. Over a quarter of these manufacturers will have successfully received the technology platform transfer from Afrigen by the end of 2024, with the rest to be completed in 2025, marking an important milestone in the Programme. By December 2026, all manufacturing partners are expected to have demonstrated the technology at their respective sites, culminating in the full transfer of mRNA technology across all participants.

Prof. Petro Terblanche, CEO of Afrigen, highlighted, “The mRNA Programme has not only achieved our initial goals but exceeded them in every way. Afrigen’s work with our global partners has shown that LMICs can lead in R&D and manufacturing, transforming healthcare outcomes from diseases that affect the Global South. This Programme yet again demonstrates the power of partnerships and global collaborations.”
Dr Martin Friede, Coordinator at WHO, emphasised, “This mRNA Technology Transfer Programme exemplifies the power of collaboration in global health. We are delighted that WHO and the Partners have signed an MOU with Prof Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania to promote R&D of mRNA products for public health. We hope other institutions will also follow and share knowhow. We are committed to securing the necessary support to see these efforts through so that LMICs have the scientific and material resources to maintain this unprecedented level of pandemic preparedness.”

The Critical Role of Funding
Despite remarkable progress, additional funding is required to fully achieve the Programme’s ambition. An estimated US$200 million is needed to advance all manufacturers to GMP standards and continue to strengthen the R&D pipeline in support of at least 12 mRNA products currently in development. Encouragingly, Programme success has already attracted substantial catalytic co-investments. For example, for every dollar contributed by the Programme in the AFRO region, an estimated US$17 has been invested by regional stakeholders and other public health organisations.

Media enquiries

Gelise McCullough mccullough@medicinespatentpool.org +41 79 685 64 36
Olivier Uzel ouzel@medicinespatentpool.org +41 79 708 96 42

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About the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme
The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme was launched in 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) to address the need for equitable access to mRNA vaccine technology in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This initiative aims to build mRNA manufacturing capacity in LMICs, empowering them to produce mRNA vaccines locally and ensuring rapid response capabilities in the event of future pandemics. By fostering collaboration among a global network of partners, the Programme advances research and development, supports the establishment of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-certified facilities, and enables LMICs to achieve self-sustaining vaccine production.

About WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations dedicated to promoting global health and well-being. Founded in 1948, WHO leads efforts to combat infectious diseases, address health emergencies, and promote universal health coverage worldwide. Through its partnerships, policymaking, and capacity-building initiatives, WHO plays a crucial role in coordinating global health responses and supporting countries in achieving equitable access to healthcare. In the context of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, the WHO provides strategic guidance and technical support to facilitate vaccine access and preparedness in LMICs.

About Afrigen
Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing vaccine and biological production in Africa. As a key partner in the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, Afrigen has spearheaded efforts to develop and manufacture Africa’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, AfriVac 2021. With a mission to foster health innovation and capacity-building in the Global South, Afrigen leads in R&D, technology transfer, and training, playing an essential role in building a self-sufficient, resilient biomanufacturing network for Africa.

About the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)
MPP is a United Nations-backed public health organisation focused on improving access to life-saving medicines in LMICs. Established in 2010 by Unitaid, MPP works with partners to license essential medicines and health technologies, fostering innovation and affordability in the areas of HIV, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases and COVID-19. MPP’s role in the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme includes coordinating with manufacturers, ensuring sustainable R&D practices, and facilitating technology sharing to accelerate mRNA vaccine production across LMICs.