24 June 2025

Advancements in mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer in South Africa

Three years after the World Health Organization (WHO) initiated Africa's first mRNA vaccine technology transfer programme, significant progress is being made. Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative aimed to address the inequity in vaccine access, as wealthier nations secured the majority of available vaccines, leaving low and middle-income countries, including South Africa, in a precarious position.

Established in 2021 by the WHO and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), the programme is set to revolutionize the vaccine and therapeutic landscape across Africa. Through the hub at Afrigen Biologics in Cape Town, foundational mRNA technology has been successfully transferred to 15 partner organizations.

Currently, African nations import 90% of their medicines and 99% of their vaccines. This technology transfer is a crucial step towards empowering these countries to produce their own medicines for both pandemics and routine public health needs.

The progress was celebrated at a recent event held alongside the G20 Health Working Group in Johannesburg. Biovac, a biopharmaceutical company based in Cape Town, was the first partner to receive this technology. The company is now exploring mRNA-based vaccines for HIV and TB, two diseases that continue to impact communities in South Africa significantly. The technology also has the potential to facilitate the development of various treatments.

According to Professor Petro Terblanche, CEO of Afrigen, technology transfer is merely a starting point. He emphasized that developing a sustainable pipeline of products is essential for translating this technology into tangible public health benefits.

Dr. Michelle Mulder, CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, highlighted the critical role of research and development (R&D) in this initiative. She stated that ongoing improvements to mRNA candidates are necessary to create more effective, cost-efficient, and stable vaccines. This R&D focus aims to address prevalent diseases like HIV and TB.

Mulder also pointed out the need for a continuous pipeline of new vaccines to keep manufacturing facilities operational, even outside of pandemic situations.

Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP, noted that while the foundations for equitable mRNA access are in place, sustained political commitment is crucial to ensure that this opportunity is not lost. He called for the courage to build on existing investments to maximize the impact of this initiative.