Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has inked a pivotal agreement with Argentine health, science, and technology authorities to bolster the development and future production of mRNA vaccines for regional use.
Dr. Barbosa emphasized that this agreement will fortify the mRNA vaccine production ecosystem, ensuring greater sustainability for the PAHO/WHO technology transfer project in Argentina. He also highlighted the significance of reducing the region’s dependence on foreign countries for this critical technology, promoting more equitable access.
This collaboration aligns with PAHO’s Regional Platform to Advance the Manufacturing of Vaccines and Health Technologies and complements the World Health Organization (WHO) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) technology transfer program for mRNA vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. Notable participants include Sinergium Biotech of Argentina and Brazil’s Institute of Technology on Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos).
Argentina’s Dr. Carlos Malbrán National Administration of Laboratories and Health Institutes (ANLIS-Malbrán), under the Ministry of Health, will now contribute to the production chain by developing lipid nanoparticles, crucial components in mRNA vaccine production.
With support from the Canadian Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE), PAHO will provide ANLIS-Malbrán with the necessary equipment for nanoparticle production, ensuring sustainability and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
Minister of Health of Argentina, Carla Vizzotti, emphasized the importance of this technology transfer, reflecting the joint efforts of multiple agencies to benefit the region.
Fernando Peirano, President of Agencia I+D+I, underscored Argentina’s commitment to universal health rights, stressing their industrial and scientific talent’s role in the process.
Dr. Barbosa’s official visit to Argentina included a tour of the Sinergium Biotech plant to review project progress and finalize the agreement.
To further regional mRNA vaccine production, PAHO, Fiocruz, and the Butantan Institute recently launched a joint course on vaccine development and production, aiming to strengthen human resource capabilities in Mercosur countries.
In July, PAHO signed an agreement with Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz for preclinical trials of a Brazilian-developed mRNA vaccine, offering potential access to low- and middle-income countries in the region if proven safe and effective.
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