In July 2024, WHO announced that Argentine manufacturer Sinergium Biotech is to lead a new project that aims to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) mRNA vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The project will leverage the WHO and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, which was launched in July 2021 to build capacity in LMICs for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines. Sinergium is a partner in the Programme and has developed candidate H5N1 vaccines. If it establishes preclinical proof-of-concept the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with partners, “aiding the acceleration” of the development of these candidates and “bolstering pandemic preparedness efforts”.
The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme
Since its inception, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has already developed and implemented a platform that has been used to establish the immunogencity, efficacy, and safety of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in preclinical models. The platform was created and validated at Afrigen and is now being shared with partners for applications against “other critical disease targets”.
WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, states that the initiative “exemplifies” why WHO established the Programme to “foster great research, development, and production”.
“When the next pandemic arrives, the world will be better prepared to mount a more effective and more equitable response.”
Charles Gore, MPP’s Executive Director, reflected that the goal of the Programme is to “enable low- and middle-income countries to lead development efforts, foster collaboration, share resources, and disseminate knowledge”.
“This project embodies our vision and demonstrates a strong commitment to future pandemic preparedness and response.”
Rising to the avian influenza challenge
WHO states that avian influenza viruses are a “significant public health risk” due to “widespread circulation in animals” and “potential to cause a future pandemic”. Thus, the latest project complements work to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential and increase LMIC access to vaccines. Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), is pleased with the news.
“This announcement underscores the importance of not only geographically diversifying the innovation and production of health technologies including and recognising the capacities in Latin America and the Caribbean, but also the importance of early planning for access and the sharing of knowledge and technologies during the research and development processes.”
Chief Executive Officer at Sinergium is “excited to tackle this public health challenge” in collaboration with partners.
“Sinergium’s enhanced capacity and readiness to apply our expertise to H5N1 will play a vital role in this effort towards global pandemic preparedness. I would also like to thank PAHO who have also been instrumental through the strong support it offers to regional manufacturers in the Americas.”
The importance of technology transfers in building regional capacity and facilitating equitable vaccine distribution will be discussed in a panel at the Congress in Barcelona this October; get your tickets to join us here and don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletters here.
