Date: 11-14 March
Location: Shanghai, China
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) as co-facilitator, will convene a side event at the Vaccine Innovative Forum (VIF) in Shanghai to highlight progress and partnership opportunities under the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.
Launched to address inequities in access to life-saving vaccines and therapeutics, the Programme supports the development of sustainable mRNA research, development, and manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Four years on, it has evolved into a global network of partners working to strengthen pandemic preparedness and expand equitable access to mRNA technologies.
This session will bring together stakeholders from East Asia, Africa and beyond to showcase progress and explore collaboration opportunities—including voluntary licensing and technology partnerships—to help build a more resilient, sustainable and inclusive global mRNA ecosystem.

Agenda

mRNA Programme: Building Sustainability through Partnerships

Date & Time: Thursday 12 March 2026 | 17:15 – 19:00, networking dinner until 20:30
Location: Meeting Rooms 1–3, 2nd Floor, VIF Shanghai, Marrion Hotel Parkview
Format: In-person side event followed by a networking dinner

Organiser: Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)

Co-facilitator: World Health Organization (WHO)

17:15 – 17:25 | Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Charles Gore, Executive Director, Medicines Patent Pool

17:25 – 17:55 | Setting the Scene: The mRNA Landscape

  • The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme: Progress and Vision
    • Dr Martin Friede, Senior Advisor, MPP
  • Therapeutics and Advanced Gene Therapy: Emerging Applications
    • Dr Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Assistant Professor, University of Pennsylvania
  • Afrigen’s R&D Platform and Global Partnership Ecosystem
    • Prof. Petro Terblanche, CEO, Afrigen Biologics
  • The South-East Asia R&D ConsorNum: A CollaboraNve Model for InnovaNon
    • Pierre-Stéphane Gsell, Project Manager, World Health OrganizaNon

17:55 – 18:15 | MPP Engagement and Collaboration Pathways

  • MPP’s operational model, licensing mechanisms, and partnership frameworks
    • Johnny Vlaminck, Business development and Licensing consultant, MPP
  • Industry perspective: Reflections on partnering with MPP and the value of structured collaboration
    • Dr Bo Ying, CEO, ABOGEN Bioscience

18:15 – 18:55 | Moderated Panel Discussion

Moderator: Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head, WHO

Panellists:

  • Morena Makhoana, CEO, Biovac
  • Yuanqing Liu, CSO, Immorna
  • Chunlin Xin, VP External Innovation, CanSino
  • Andrew Wong, Senior Advisor to the Board, Walvax
  • Martin Friede, Senior Advisor, MPP

Discussion themes will include experiences with global health partnerships, opportunities and challenges in international collaboration, requirements for deeper engagement, and the future of RNA technologies.

18:55 – 19:00 | Closing Reflections

  • Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head, WHO

 

Please come to visit us at Booth 23