ASEAN Secretariat Engages in WHO and MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Programme

The collaboration aims to boost local vaccine manufacturing in Southeast Asia.

THE ASEAN Secretariat participated in the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medicine Patent Pool (MPP) messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Technology Transfer Programme in Singapore on 18-19 March 2024. The programme, organized by WHO and MPP, aimed to establish research consortia to advance mRNA vaccine development, facilitating local vaccine manufacturing in the Southeast Asia Region.

During the event, the ASEAN Secretariat shared insights on ASEAN member states’ commitments to promote biomedical research and development. Examples included the work of the ASEAN Subcommittee on Biotechnology, particularly the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Traditional Medicines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI). The panel discussion, attended by 60 global players from pharmaceutical companies, immunology experts, research institutes, international organizations, banks, and philanthropists, emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing vaccine development.

Source: ASEAN