MPP supports diversified manufacturing through licensing and facilitating technology transfer to local and regional manufacturers, contributing to improved access to health products, supply security, and emergency preparedness and response.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains and the risks associated with a heavily concentrated manufacturing base for essential health technologies. Global uncertainties, including risks of health-related events, continue to demonstrate how easily access can be disrupted, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This underscores the need to expand and diversify regional manufacturing capacities to improve health security, supply resilience, and equitable access.
Against this backdrop, the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly’s Resolution 74.6 stressed the need for local and regional production as a means of achieving sustainable access to medicines and other health technologies, as well as strengthening national health emergency preparedness and response. With 57 manufacturing partners across 24 countries—and growing—MPP is helping to build a more distributed, resilient, and equitable global manufacturing landscape.
MPP is widely recognised for its role in voluntary licensing to increase access to quality-assured medicines and has over the past years built expertise in facilitating technology transfer and supporting the development of sustainable regional manufacturing ecosystems. These include the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, the Medicines Supply Resilience (MedSuRe) Africa project, the rapid diagnostic testing (RDT) agreement with SD Biosensor Inc, and the strategic collaboration with Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. This emerging focus responds directly to country and regional priorities to strengthen local production.
Through its agreements and technical support, MPP creates practical pathways for manufacturers in LMICs to access new technologies, build capabilities, and supply their regions sustainably. These efforts include assessing technologies and manufacturing sites, negotiating licensing and co-development agreements, facilitating technology transfer, and supporting long-term market sustainability. All activities are carried out in close consultation with governments and regional partners, which ensures alignment with local needs and capacities.
Licensing and Technology Transfer as Enablers of Regional Production
MPP negotiates licences that provide access to patented innovations for qualified manufacturers, most of whom are in LMICs or serve LMIC markets. By offering non-exclusive licences and, where appropriate, facilitating technology transfer, MPP helps expand the pool of producers beyond traditional manufacturing hubs. This involves close collaboration with innovators and potential licensees to assess capabilities and support technology adoption, making it possible for more geographically diverse manufacturers to take on production. Early licensing further amplifies this impact, giving regional manufacturers a clear pathway to develop products sooner and enter markets that might otherwise remain inaccessible.
Creating Conditions for Competitiveness and Sustainable Operations
MPP’s approach creates room for competition among licensed manufacturers, helping to build viable markets and encourage efficiency and innovation. Moreover, lower prices, driven by competitive supply, help governments integrate products into public procurement systems, thereby creating predictable demand, a critical factor for the sustainability of regional manufacturers.
Facilitating Market Access for Regional Manufacturers
MPP provides support to regional manufacturers for regulatory preparation and submissions and guides them in meeting rigorous quality standards, while also navigating complex patent and regulatory landscapes. By collaborating with partners including governments, funders, and procurement agencies, MPP helps ensure stakeholder awareness, procurement and introduction of licensed products in LMIC markets.
To expand the pool of eligible manufacturers and support greater geographical diversity, MPP has updated its quality assurance requirements to recognise regulatory authorities designated as WHO-Listed Authorities. This adaptation expands participation opportunities for regional manufacturers,, while accelerating product availability by reducing regulatory bottlenecks.
Building the Case and Advocating for Regional Manufacturing for Equitable Access.
A strong evidence base is required to convince innovators to license their technologies early and to include provisions that support regional manufacturing. MPP works across global forums to build that narrative, integrating data and stakeholder feedback, preparing investment cases, crafting strategic communications, and engaging policymakers and manufacturers. This includes highlighting the importance of designing products with access in mind from the beginning.
MPP has also introduced two targeted mechanisms to further support the geo-diversification of manufacturing:
The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme
Launched in 2021 by WHO and MPP, this flagship Programme aims to expand equitable access to mRNA technology by creating a network of manufacturers across LMICs. Phase 1.0 focused on platform development, training, and foundational technology transfer, while Phase 2.0 is advancing product pipelines, strengthening GMP-grade manufacturing, embedding mRNA capabilities into national innovation systems, and preparing partners for pandemic-ready production. By 2030, the Programme aims to establish self-sustaining mRNA manufacturing in at least 10 countries, with a combined pandemic surge capacity of up to 1.9 billion doses. The model aligns closely with the vision of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
Medicines Supply Resilience (MedSuRe) Africa
Medicines Supply Resilience (MedSuRe) Africa — led by USP with support from multiple partners funded by Unitaid, co-funded by the European Union — aims to boost regional production of quality-assured, affordable, and climate-smart medicines across Africa. Focusing on HIV, malaria, maternal health, and pandemic preparedness, MedSuRe takes an end-to-end approach to strengthen supply chains. MPP contributes by negotiating voluntary licence agreements, collaborating with USP on technology transfer for drug formulations, and assessing manufacturers’ pandemic preparedness. Together, these efforts build resilient systems that improve access to essential medicines for millions across the continent.
Expanding Access to Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs)
Under the WHO/MPP Health Technology Access Programme (H-TAP), a licence agreement with SD Biosensor signed in 2024 enables local production of WHO-prequalified RDTs for HIV, malaria, hepatitis C, and syphilis. Codix Bio in Nigeria, the first sublicensee, is receiving phased technology transfer support to build sustainable manufacturing capacity—demonstrating the feasibility of localised diagnostics’ production.
Strategic Country Partnerships
In response to country demand, MPP is engaging in strategic collaborations to expand local production of biotherapeutics and other complex technologies. In Indonesia, MPP signed an MoU in 2024 with the Ministry of Health to support the development of national capability for biotherapeutic manufacturing. MPP is engaging with potential technology providers to assess opportunities for technology transfer.
As the world advances discussions on pandemic preparedness, including within the WHO Pandemic Agreement, MPP’s experience in voluntary licensing, technology transfer, and capacity strengthening offers practical mechanisms to translate global commitments into operational, equitable outcomes.
Strategy, Policy and Market Access
mRNA Section
MPP Publications
Intellectual property licensing of therapeutics during the COVID-19 crisis: lessons learnt for pandemic preparedness and response
The case for a global therapeutics development coalition: Building a therapeutics pipeline for pandemic and endemic diseases
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