'Our project, your problem?' A case study of the WHO's mRNA technology transfer programme in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: In June 2021 the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) launched an mRNA technology transfer programme. With a South African consortium serving as the hub, the programme aimed to increase vaccine manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in view of the "vaccine apartheid" that was observed during COVID-19. Following Clarke's "situational analysis," the present study assessed whether the mRNA programme differs from the approach and practices that comprise current biopharmaceutical production. Numerous documentary sources, including legal agreements underpinning the programme, funding agreements, and patent filings, were reviewed. Semi-structured interviews with 35 individuals, ranging from the programme's architects and university scient

SUBMITTER: Herder M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11419367 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature