Highly experienced experts in mRNA vaccine development will provide technical input into the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub programme.

Geneva, 12 October 2022—The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) announced today the establishment of its mRNA Scientific Advisory Committee (mSAC), an independent committee to deliver answers, on a consultative basis, to specific questions on scientific matters addressed to them relating to the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub Programme.

This scientific advisory committee aims to bring together a wealth of expertise from the public sectors, from all continents and from the private sector, to build on the knowledge and further advance the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub Programme.

The committee aims to meet twice a year to review the technical aspects of the work and provide guidance, the meetings will be convened by MPP. The committee will offer independent recommendations on scientific and technical matters related to the mRNA technology transfer hub programme. The mSAC may also be consulted on scientific questions that may arise. Through their combined expertise they will be able to identify scientific issues that may need further discussion and provide advice that will be helpful in achieving the goals of the programme.

The mSAC is currently made up of seven members with more to follow soon. Experts bring experience from the World Health Organization, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, GreenLight Biosciences, Chulalongkorn University Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center, Sanofi Pasteur and Moderna.

Dr. Martin Friede, Coordinator, Initiative for Vaccine Research at the WHO said, “I am honoured to welcome our prestigious new members to the mRNA Scientific Advisory Committee. With such strong credentials, we are confident that they will play a major role in steering the scientific work of mRNA hub programme over the next few years in its efforts to expand access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries.”

Jean- Francois Toussaint, Global R&D Head of Vaccines at Sanofi said, “Having established the Sanofi mRNA Center of Excellence in 2021, we’ve now launched multiple pre-clinical and clinical programs designed to develop the next generation of mRNA vaccines, with improved thermostability, tolerability, and efficacy. We are delighted to contribute our scientific expertise to the MPP’s new mRNA Scientific Advisory Committee and look forward to engaging with this new program”

The full list of the Governance Board members and their biographies are available here.