6 July 2026
MPP delivered a statement at the seventh WHO Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic Agreement, taking place on 06 July 2026.
Statement delivered by Mila Maistat, Senior Manager, MPP:
Thank you, Chair.
We would like to draw attention of Member States to the recently concluded voluntary licensing agreement between Medicines Patent Pool and Roche, which could contribute to equitable access during a future influenza pandemic.
The agreement covers baloxavir marboxil, a WHO-recommended single-dose antiviral for the treatment and prevention of influenza.
Its key objectives are to support geographically diversified manufacturing and affordable access, both for seasonal influenza and in the event of a future pandemic.
The licence includes several features aligned with the principles of PPPR, including coverage in 129 countries, provisions for technology transfer, geographically diversified manufacturing, and collaboration with the innovator and WHO to address potential barriers during a public health emergency.
We are currently assessing applications received through Expression of Interest process to identify qualified manufacturers that can develop and supply the licensed product to LMICs.
As recognized in the Pandemic Agreement, non-exclusive licensing and technology transfer can play an important role in supporting equitable access to health technologies during health emergencies.
We hope this agreement will contribute to advancing that objective.
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 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 23 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, one antiviral treatment for influenza, 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.