Agenda
mRNA Programme: Building Sustainability through Partnerships
Date & Time: Thursday 12 March 2026 | 17:15 – 19:00 Location: VIF Shanghai, Marrion Hotel Parkview
Organiser: Medicines Patent Pool (MPP)
Co-facilitator: World Health Organization (WHO)
17:15 – 17:25 | Welcome and Opening Remarks
17:25 – 17:55 | Setting the Scene: The mRNA Landscape
17:55 – 18:15 | MPP Engagement and Collaboration Pathways
18:15 – 18:55 | Moderated Panel Discussion
Moderator: Dr Jicui Dong, Unit Head, WHO
Panellists:
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
At the Vaccine Innovation Forum (VIF) 2026 in Shanghai in March 2026, the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a side event on “Building Sustainability through Partnerships” — a timely discussion on the future of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.
Opening the session, Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP, underscored the importance of collaboration in expanding access to life-saving technologies. Reflecting on lessons from COVID-19, he noted: “There was a huge lack of vaccine manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries. And as a result, this mRNA technology transfer program was set up as part of the ACT Accelerator.”
He framed the discussion around a critical transition: from emergency response to building sustainable, long-term capacity through global collaboration.
Over the past five years, the programme has made significant progress. As Dr Martin Friede (MPP) highlighted, countries that previously had no mRNA capabilities are now actively developing research, manufacturing, and clinical expertise: “At the beginning of COVID, there were zero manufacturers in LMICs that could produce mRNA… now there are 15.”
However, speakers were clear that building capacity is only the first step.
As the urgency of the pandemic has receded, the programme is entering a new phase — one defined by sustainability. Dr Friede captured this shift succinctly: “Having built the facility, that was easy. Now we need to make things that can be sold.” Prof. Petro Terblanche echoed: “We need to ensure that innovation is embedded into the partnerships we create.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr Johnny Vlaminck (MPP), who emphasized that long-term viability depends on access to commercially relevant products, markets, and partnerships: “Their survival will depend on their ability to sell mRNA products that are commercially viable.”
The discussion highlighted a key evolution: moving beyond COVID-19 vaccines toward broader applications, including therapeutics and other vaccine platforms, to ensure sustained demand and use of mRNA technologies.
Partnerships as the foundation for sustainability
A central theme throughout the session was the role of global partnerships in enabling this next phase.
Maria Davila (Quantoom Biosciences) emphasized the practical value of collaboration: “By working with this network, you have immediate access to service and support…This is the place to be… a very interesting commercial opportunity.”
Similarly, Pierre Gsell (WHO) highlighted collaboration as a mechanism to reduce risk and accelerate development: “We are looking for opportunities for collaboration to de-risk investment.”
Dr Zhou Wenshuo (ABOGEN) highlighted that “No single biotech company can do everything alone — from manufacturing investment to navigating complex regulatory pathways. Partnerships, including with MPP, are essential to coordinate resources, engage regulators, and bring technologies to new markets.”
Through its role as a neutral intermediary, MPP plays a key role in connecting technology holders, manufacturers, and partners across regions — facilitating licensing, co-development, and technology transfer.
The role of China in the global mRNA ecosystem
A key focus of the discussion was the growing role of Chinese biotechnology companies.
Panels discussion highlighted their rapid progress during the pandemic — from early-stage R&D to clinical trials and large-scale GMP manufacturing — positioning them as important contributors to global mRNA efforts.
At the same time, speakers acknowledged persistent global disparities. As Johnny Vlaminck (MPP) noted: “There remains a significant gap between what exists in more advanced ecosystems and what is available in many low- and middle-income countries.”
Chinese companies are well placed to help bridge this gap — through technology sharing, manufacturing partnerships, and participation in global R&D consortia.
Beyond technology: building complete ecosystems
Speakers consistently emphasized that technology alone is not enough. The success of the programme will depend on the strength of local ecosystems — including workforce skills, regulatory systems, infrastructure, and supply chains.
As Dr Jicui Dong (WHO) noted, partnerships must be “realistic and practical” to be effective.
Key takeaways from panel discussion:
A long-term vision for global health equity
Reflecting on broader industry evolution, Dr Friede noted the transformation of emerging biotech ecosystems: “What stands out is the optimism, the drive, and the confidence…” This transformation offers both an opportunity and a lesson: building resilient innovation ecosystems takes time, investment, and sustained commitment.
Participants emphasized the need for a long-term perspective. While partnerships may not deliver immediate returns, they are essential to unlocking future health and economic benefits.
Conclusion: from technology transfer to global Ecosystem
The discussions at VIF 2026 reinforced a shared understanding: the next phase of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme is not just about transferring technology — it is about building a globally connected, sustainable ecosystem.
This includes developing commercially viable mRNA products; strengthening regional R&D and manufacturing networks; fostering equitable, long-term partnerships; ensuring preparedness for future pandemics.
As emphasized by session moderator Dr Jicui Dong: “Sustainability will depend not only on innovation, but on collaboration, trust, and shared commitment to global health equity.” The strong engagement in Shanghai — particularly from the Chinese biotech community — signals growing momentum.
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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 innovative medicines and other health technologies 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 health products 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 and Coeffient Giving. MPP’s activities in technology transfer are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, the Government of Flanders and SDC.