WHO and MPP Partner with Sinergium Biotech to Advance H5N1 Vaccine Accessibility

A new initiative to expedite the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates for manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) was launched today.

The project will be spearheaded by the Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) through their mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.

The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, jointly developed by WHO and MPP, was established in July 2021 to enhance the capacity of LMICs in developing and producing mRNA-based vaccines. As a partner in this programme, Sinergium Biotech has developed candidate H5N1 vaccines and aims to establish proof-of-concept in preclinical models.

According to WHO, once the preclinical data package is completed, the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with other manufacturing partners. This will help accelerate the development of H5N1 vaccine candidates and bolster pandemic preparedness efforts.

News Source: Emirates News Agency