WHO launches mRNA bird flu vaccine project  

The World Health Organization and its partners launched a bid on Monday to speed up the development and distribution of H5N1 avian influenza, also known as bird flu vaccines in low and middle-income countries.

The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, collaboratively developed by WHO and MPP, was launched in July 2021 to enhance the capacity of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines. As a partner in this initiative, Sinergium Biotech has created candidate H5N1 vaccines and is working to establish proof-of-concept in preclinical models. Upon completion of the preclinical data, the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with other manufacturing partners to accelerate the development of H5N1 vaccine candidates and strengthen pandemic preparedness efforts.

“This initiative illustrates the purpose of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme – to boost research, development, and production in LMICs, ensuring better global preparedness and a more equitable response to future pandemics,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

“Our objective with the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, in collaboration with WHO, was to enable LMICs to spearhead development efforts, encourage collaboration, share resources, and spread knowledge,” said Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP. “This project embodies our vision and shows our dedication to future pandemic preparedness and response.”

Avian influenza viruses pose a significant public health risk due to their prevalence in animals and their potential to cause a future pandemic. This initiative supports ongoing efforts under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework to improve virus sharing with human pandemic potential and increase vaccine access in LMICs.

“This announcement highlights the need to geographically diversify the innovation and production of health technologies, recognize the capabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean, and emphasize early planning for access and knowledge sharing during R&D processes,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization.

Dr. Alejandro Gil, CEO of Sinergium, remarked, “Sinergium’s capacity and readiness to apply our expertise to H5N1 will be crucial for global pandemic preparedness. We are grateful to PAHO for their strong support to regional manufacturers in the Americas. We are eager to address this public health challenge, and our R&D team will continue to collaborate closely with the Programme Partners.”

Since its inception, the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme has developed a platform to establish the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate in preclinical animal models. Afrigen, where the platform was created and is being validated, is now transferring this technology to manufacturing partners to adapt it for other critical disease targets. The progress of the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme is a key part of WHO and MPP’s efforts to improve the availability, access, and use of mRNA vaccines for better global vaccine equity.