Deadline for applications: 6 May 2025
Location: remote
Type of assignment: Consultancy
Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), a non-profit organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is dedicated to improving global access to essential medicines through voluntary licensing and technology transfer.
Through its innovative business model, MPP partners with WHO, 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. In addition, MPP is co-leading with WHO the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, which is a global initiative that aims to improve health and health security by establishing sustainable, locally owned mRNA manufacturing capabilities in and for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Programme is based around a multi-lateral technology transfer model where a Consortium, located in South Africa, will provide the technology development, training and technology transfer. Currently, 15 Programme Partners in LMICs across the world are receiving training and technology through the Programme and will then produce and sell products commercially. Its core concept is empowerment. Initially, the Programme is focusing on mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, used as a proof-of-concept pathogen to demonstrate safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the platform. However, the Programme is designed to encourage the development of other mRNA vaccines and therapeutics against important diseases that threaten LMICs, thereby ensuring the capacity built by the project is sustained and available to combat the next pandemic. One of the key principles of the Programme is to support access to innovation and technology; and thereby encouraging mRNA technology/vaccines developers to share knowledge and expertise via streamlined research collaboration(s) and/or technology transfer(s) is of significant importance. Both early stage and approved mRNA technology(ies) to offer the broadest and most appropriate fit for LMICs are considered.
Activities related to monitoring and analysis of intellectual property related documentation (e.g., publications, patents) remain of paramount importance not only to guide the different research streams within the frame of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, but also to identify products and technologies with scientific and commercial value that might be of interest for in-licensing to Programme Partners.
In this respect, MPP has already conducted in collaboration with an external consultant a thorough landscaping of mRNA-based vaccine/therapeutics candidates (for both communicable and non-communicable diseases) that are currently under clinical development and prioritized some that could be of interest for co-development and in-licensing partnerships.
The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is seeking a Business Development Expert to support its mRNA Technology Transfer Programme in engaging with mRNA-based products (vaccines and/or therapeutics) developers worldwide. The objective is to initiate discussions with small and large pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic institutions developing mRNA and other RNA-based candidates for infectious and non-communicable diseases.
The selected expert will play a key role in establishing mutually beneficial partnerships, collaborations, seeking both co-development and in-licensing partnerships with MPP’s network of RNA manufacturing partners.
The Business Development Expert will be responsible for:
The ideal candidate should have:
Interested candidates should submit a proposal including:
All proposals should be submitted by the 30th of April 2025 to recruitment@medicinespatentpool.org with the subject line: “Proposal – Business Development Expert (mRNA Programme).”
Additional technical information can be requested by contacting the following e-mail address: technologytransfer@medicinespatentpool.org
We look forward to receiving your proposals and collaborating to advance global access to mRNA and RNA-based products.
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.