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:
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:
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.“
AGENDA & VIDEOS
Day 1 – 19 November 2024
Chair: Charles Gore – Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) Opening remarks Dr Anban Pillay, Government of South Africa Ms Sophie Bel French Consul, Cape Town Session 1: Progress Report 1. Overview of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme’s achievements Dr Martin Friede, World Health Organization (WHO) 2. Overarching Technical Report Dr Ike James, MPP 3. From Covid 19 pandemic response to sustainable public health impact and pandemic preparedness Dr Caryn Fenner & Imelda Jordaan, Afrigen
Video of the session
Chair: Charles Gore – MPP Session 2: Programme implementation – Progress Update Biovac, Ibrahim Mohamed, S&I Group Leader – South Africa BioFarma, Indra Rudiansyah, Programme Manager for mRNA Vaccine Programme – Indonesia Polyvac, Van Son Tran, R&D scientist – Viet Nam Incepta, Mohammad Mainul Ahasan, Assistant General Manager, R&D – Bangladesh National Institute of Health Islamabad, Rahim Shah, Head mRNA technology transfer – Pakistan Darnytsia, Sergiy Onyshchenko, Director of New Business Development – Ukraine Institut Torlak, Rajna Minić PhD, Head of the Protein Engineering and Biochemistry Department – Serbia BioGeneric Pharma, Heba Wali, General Manager – Egypt
Chair: Charles Gore – MPP Session 2 (cont.): Programme implementation – Progress update Biovax, Serah Muteru, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Product Quality Assurance & Safety – Kenya Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Makram Essafi, Coordinator of IPT mRNA R&D unit committee, Tunisia Institut Pasteur Dakar, Khadidia Ba, Program Officer, Vaccine Research Center – Senegal Bio-Manguinhos, Patrícia Neves , Vice Diretoria de Inovação – Brazil Sinergium, Germán Sánchez Alrberti, Development and Innovation Manager – Argentina Biological E, Darshan Parekh, Senior Consultant – India
Chair: Claudia Nannei – WHO Session 3: Sustainability 1. Developing the R&D ecosystem to ensure product pipeline Dr Martin Friede, WHO 2. Overview of the Southeast Asia Consortia Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, Chula VRC 3. mRNA Innovation for Sustainability Dr Amin Khan, Afrigen 4. Fuelling health research in South Africa Dr Ntobeko Ntusi, SAMRC 5. South African mRNA Vaccine Consortium Dr Michelle Mulder, SAMRC 6. In-licensing of products for pandemics and IP Charles Gore, MPP Open discussion on the Programme results Wrap up – Claudia Nannei, WHO
Day 2 – 20 November 2024
Moderator: Tiwadayo Braimoh, MPP Special Session 1: mRNA vaccines and therapeutics in the Global context Global Strategy: How does it fit into INB and pandemic preparedness Precious Matsoso – Co-Chair of INB South Africa’s priorities in health for G20 and regional vaccine manufacturing Dr Anban Pillay, Government of South Africa Africa CDC strategy and regional Pool procurement Dr Abebe Genetu Bayih, Africa CDC CEPIs 100 day mission – live fire drills in the context of mRNA platforms, Matthew Downham, CEPI The role of CSO in building a supportive ecosystem Aggrey Aluso, Pandemic Action Network The EU support to ensuring equitable access to health technologies Nicole Gerlis, Head of the Governance and Human Development Section of the EU Delegation to South Africa
Moderator: Martin Friede, WHO Special Session 2: Spotlight on Tuberculosis – the unmet need South Africa TB programme Dr Fareed Abdullah, SAMRC SHIP TB innovation Zoleka Ngcete, SAMRC Clinic development landscape Dr Linda Gail Bekker, DTHF mRNA TB vaccine discover Dr Munyaradzi Musvosvi, SATVI Route to scale up and clinic Dr Pia Steigler, Afrigen Q&A Moderator: Gelise McCullough, MPP Press briefing
Afrigen site visit – End to end facility
Day 3 – 21 November 2024
Visit of Biovac facility Introductory presentation Site visit to the mRNA R&D facility and the Drug Substance facility
Site visit: to deep dive into TB epidemic in Western Cape – Desmond Tutu Health Foundation Clinic, Masiphumelele Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health challenge in South Africa, one of the countries with the highest TB burden in the world. The disease, driven by high rates of HIV co-infection, continues to affect thousands of people each year, with many facing multi-drug-resistant TB strains. Efforts to combat TB are complex, requiring integrated approaches that address not only the medical aspects but also the socio-economic factors that contribute to its spread. The DTHF Aerobiology Research Centre (ARC) at the Masiphumelele Research Centre run by Professor Robin Wood seeks to understand the biology of the airborne transmission of TB from one person to the other. The ARC is actively engaged in research at laboratory, clinical and public health levels to increase understanding of the TB epidemic and to seek solutions to this overwhelming health problem facing South Africans. The Masi MRO Unit is run by Dr Katherine Gill and is a trials unit dedicated to HIV prevention, STI and TB research. The team will be trialling the BioNTech BNNT164b1 TB mRNA vaccine.
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More here on the:
Press Release of the Event
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.