Singapore – In a decisive move to propel the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme , four South-East Asia research consortia will be formalized at the culmination of Day 1 of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Programme’s regional meeting in Singapore.

This pivotal event marks a significant milestone in collaborative vaccine research and development, channeling collective expertise to confront global health challenges and pandemic preparedness.

The research institutions signing this commitment represent diverse fields, including health, product research, and development, and acknowledge the transformative potential of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their collective commitment extends to collaborative research consortia focused on developing mRNA vaccines targeting dengue, enterovirus-A71/Coxsackie, human papillomavirus, and Plasmodium vivax – diseases severely affecting the region. The consortia pledge to share material, data, and intellectual property equitably and non-exclusively with the Programme Partners.

Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP, said: “Today’s signing is such an important step for the Programme and serves as a testament to the commitment and shared vision of the international health community. The wealth of scientific institutions working to develop and enhance mRNA vaccines is just tremendous. It sets the stage for other regions to follow suit and develop further consortia.”

Clarisse Veylon-Hervet, French Government Health Regional Advisor for South-East Asia, reflects on the significance: “South-East Asia is highly exposed to neglected tropical diseases, where many zoonoses have emerged, and where cross-border health risks are high due to the development of economic corridors and rapid social, environmental and demographic changes. This region of the world is considered to be a high-risk area for emerging (and re-emerging) diseases. Investment in prevention is therefore crucial. These consortia are paving the way for a healthier future in Southeast Asia and beyond. France has supported the programme from its inception, and we are delighted to see its growth and the inclusion of these different partnerships.”

Today, the 4th scientific colloquium of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme unfolds the crux of these landmark collaborations:

  • The first consortium unites the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) with partners across Asia to spearhead dengue vaccine research, leveraging cutting-edge mRNA technology.
    Dr. Jerome Kim, DG of IVI said: “Dengue is an arborviral disease of substantial burden throughout Asia.  IVI has long been committed to an equitable, accessible, and affordable vaccine for dengue, and through this collaboration we hope to jointly develop a mRNA-based solution that can be shared, manufactured, and implemented throughout the region (and globally).”
  • Secondly, the consortium led by Hilleman Labs, inclusive of esteemed institutions like Chula VRC and the National University of Singapore, concentrates on tackling hand, foot, and mouth disease.
    Dr Raman Rao CEO of Hilleman Labs said: “Our commitment to innovation and collaboration aligns perfectly with the objectives of this consortium, and we look forward to leveraging our expertise in working with the partners in harnessing the collective expertise to contribute significantly to the development of safe and effective vaccines against HFMD and other targeted diseases that severely impact our region.”
  • A third consortium, led by Chula Vaccine Research Center, is launching an ambitious therapeutic initiative against human papillomavirus (HPV), potentially transforming the landscape of cancer prevention.
    Professor Kiat Ruxrungtham, Co-Director of Chula VRC said: “LMICs have always been facing vaccine inequity during any pandemics. ChulaVRC’s mission is to join global effort on vaccine equity to make the mRNA vaccine development capacity sustainable, as proactively developing other unmet vaccines needs for LMICs is critical. Chula VRC is now joining this mRNA Technology Transfer Programme WHO South-East Asian R&D collaboration and taking the lead of the HPV therapeutic mRNA vaccine development consortium.”
  • Finally, Mahidol University takes the helm in a consortium against Plasmodium vivax malaria.
    Director of Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Professor Dr. Jetsumon Sattabongkot Prachumsri said: “Innovation meets dedication as we join forces to deliver P. vivax malaria solutions to LMICs. Through our collaborative consortium effort, driven by a commitment to equity, we will bring vaccines to the communities most in need.”

The signing of the ‘declaration of commitment’ encapsulates the ethos of international cooperation and the unwavering resolve to advance mRNA vaccine development up to proof of concept and early phase clinical trials in South-East Asia.

Established in 2021, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme brings together Programme partners from 15 countries, of which five are in the Asia region. The Programme aims to contribute to equitable access to mRNA vaccines by increasing the distribution of sustainable manufacturing capacity across LMICs.

For additional details on the event and the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, please refer to our detailed overview at mRNA Programme’s 4th Colloquium page.

Declaration of Commitment 

We, the undersigned, understand the immense potential of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme to build outbreak-response capacity in delivering important health innovations for and by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
We further understand the importance of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the selected manufacturing Partners so that each Partner will stand ready to respond to the next pandemic, to contribute to greater health equity in LMICs in times of public health emergency. Such sustainability will be facilitated by the research and development of mRNA products for routine use between pandemics.
We each bring expertise in health, product research and development and a willingness to share the results of our R&D on a fair and equitable basis with the Partners of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme. To that end, and pending the availability of adequate financial resources, we commit to collaborating on research consortia to develop mRNA vaccines targeting the following four pathogens: dengue, enterovirus-A71/Coxsackie, human papillomavirus and Plasmodium vivax, with the aim of generating proof-of-concept preclinical data, the preparation of phase I material, and the conduct of the phase I study.
We further commit to the sharing of the material, data, processes, and any resulting intellectual property on an equitable and non-exclusive basis with the Partners of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, with such commitments to be further defined in subsequent agreements.

###

More information


Media Contacts

Gelise McCullough, Medicines Patent Pool, gmccullough@medicinespatentpool.org;
Olivier Uzel, Medicines Patent Pool, ouzel@medicinespatentpool.org