Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Working time: 100%
Contract: Three-year contract
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase equitable access to innovative medicines (small molecules and biologics) and other health technologies through public health-oriented voluntary licensing and technology transfer. Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with civil society, governments, international organisations, industry, patient groups, and other stakeholders, to prioritise and license needed medicines and pool intellectual property to encourage generic manufacture and the development of new formulations.
To date, MPP has signed agreements with 15 patent holders for 13 HIV antiretrovirals, one HIV technology platform, three hepatitis C direct-acting antivirals, a tuberculosis treatment, two long-acting technologies, two experimental oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19, a COVID-19 serological antibody diagnostic test and a drug for cancer treatment.
In addition, MPP is co-leading the mRNA technology transfer Hub programme together with WHO. This programme is a global initiative that aims to contribute towards enabling equitable access to mRNA vaccines by: increasing the distribution of sustainable manufacturing capacity across countries to respond to epidemics and supporting future pandemic readiness; enhancing regional and inter-regional collaborations; and developing and empowering local workforce through tailored and inclusive trainings and expert support. To achieve this objective, MPP and WHO are supporting the development of a mRNA technology platform and applying it to manufacture mRNA vaccine(s) at an industrial scale adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Subsequently, the mRNA technology transfer hub will transfer the know-how, along with a comprehensive technical package and appropriate training to 15 manufacturers (spokes) in LMICs. Initially, the hub will support the global efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by transferring an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine to the spokes. The hub will also explore improvements to the mRNA vaccine technology and its application to other disease targets. The transfer of the latest know-how and technological advances aims to contribute to the inter-pandemic sustainability of the manufacturers in LMICs. For more information, please see our website, https://medicinespatentpool.org/
To achieve the objectives set forth above, MPP has created a Technology Transfer workstream whose mission is to: facilitate the technology transfer to LMICs manufacturers for products whose licenses have been acquired by MPP; contribute to the mRNA Programme activities by supporting product development, coordinating and supporting technology transfer, monitoring budgets, raising and managing funds raised by MPP for the Programme, reporting to the funders, and cross-coordinating activities between MPP and the other stakeholders.
Reporting to the Technology Transfer Programme Manager, the Project Manager will play a key role in ensuring the success of MPP in these new areas of intervention.
The main activities of the Technology Transfer Project Manager will be to support MPP and specifically the technology transfer team by:
MPP’s richness lies in its staff: a small dynamic and multicultural team!
To flourish in our team, you must recognise yourself in our values: Respect, Courage, Generosity and Commitment.
Moreover, the Project Manager Technology Transfer will need to demonstrate the following qualities:
MPP respects all individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, HIV status or disability. All qualified applications are welcome.
If you recognise yourself in this description and wish to join our outstanding team, please send a cover letter and C.V. to recruitment@medicinespatentpool.org including “Project Manager_MPP” as reference in the subject line by 24 February 2023
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 life-saving medicines 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 medicines 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, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the Government of Flanders. MPP’s activities in COVID-19 are undertaken with the financial support of the Japanese Government, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and SDC.