WHO launches initiative to fast-track mRNA vaccine innovation for human health

A new initiative has been launched with the goal of expediting the development and availability of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for human avian influenza (H5N1).

The World Health Organisation (WHO), alongside the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), made this known in a joint statement published by WHO on Monday, stating that the H5N1 is for manufacturers in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

It said Sinergium Biotech, an Argentinian manufacturer, will spearhead this effort, utilising the WHO and MPP mRNA technology transfer programme to achieve the objective.

mRNA technology transfer programme

According to the statement, the mRNA technology transfer programme, a collaborative endeavour between the WHO and MPP, was launched in July 2021 with the objective of enhancing capacity in LMICs for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines.

It said Sinergium Biotech, a partner in the programme, has developed candidate H5N1 vaccines and seeks to establish proof-of-concept in preclinical models, adding that upon completion of the preclinical data package, the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with other manufacturing partners, facilitating the acceleration of H5N1 vaccine candidate development and reinforcing pandemic preparedness efforts.

WHO DG speaks

WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said the mRNA programme would boost pandemic preparedness in low-income countries.

He said: “This initiative exemplifies why WHO established the mRNA technology transfer programme – to foster greater research, development and production in low- and middle-income countries so that when the next pandemic arrives, the world will be better prepared to mount a more effective and more equitable response.”

The Executive Director of MPP, Charles Gore, said the health bodies empowered low-income countries to lead vaccine development, sharing resources and knowledge.

He said: “When we created the mRNA technology transfer programme with WHO, our goal was 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.”

Preparing against future pandemics

According to them, Avian influenza viruses pose a significant threat to public health due to their widespread circulation in animals and potential to cause a future pandemic.

It stated that the new development supports ongoing efforts under the pandemic influenza preparedness framework, aiming to enhance the sharing of influenza viruses with pandemic potential and increase access to vaccines for LMICs.

The Director of the Pan American Health Organisation, Jarbas Barbosa, said diversifying innovation and production of health technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean is crucial.

“This announcement underscores the importance of not only geographically diversifying the innovation and production of health technologies, including and recognising the capacities in Latin American 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,” Mr Barbosa said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Sinergium, Alejandro Gil, said Sinergium’s expertise would aid global pandemic preparedness.

“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 in the strong support it offers to regional manufacturers in the Americas. We are excited to tackle this public health challenge, and our R&D team will continue to work closely with the Programme Partners,” he said.

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It further stated that the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has developed a platform for COVID-19 vaccine development, validated at Afrigen, and is now transferring the technology to manufacturing partners for adaptation and enhancement against other critical diseases.

It added that the progress recorded so far supports WHO and MPP’s goal of improving global access to mRNA vaccines and promoting vaccine equity.