MPP’s contribution to the global response to COVID-19
From the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, MPP realised that equitable access to treatments would be essential in the fight against this global threat. MPP issued a statement on 5 February 2020 offering its expertise to support access to treatment through its voluntary licensing mechanism in low- and middle- income countries.
On 31 March 2020, MPP’s Board decided to expand MPP’s mandate to include any health technology that could contribute to the global response to COVID-19 and where licensing could facilitate innovation and accelerate access.
International Goals
The coronavirus pandemic presents an opportunity for the world to act in solidarity and turn this crisis into an impetus to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
MPP’s activities and contributions:
- In May 2022, WHO and MPP announced two agreements with NIH for 11 COVID-19 health technologies
- In March 2022, 36 generic manufacturers signed agreements with MPP to produce generic versions of Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 treatment.
- In February 2022, WHO announced the establishment of a biomanufacturing training hub in the Republic of Korea along with 10 more countries to receive support from the mRNA hub in South Africa.
- In February 2022, Afrigen signed a grant agreement with MPP to establish a technology transfer hub for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
- In January 2022, 27 generic manufacturers signed agreements with MPP to produce COVID-19 antiviral medication molnupiravir for supply in 105 low- and-middle-income countries.
- In November 2021, Pfizer and the Medicines Patent Pool signed a licence agreement to facilitate affordable access of Pfizer’s oral COVID-19 antiviral treatment candidate PF-07321332 in combination with low dose ritonavir in 95 countries.
- In October, MPP and MSD signed a voluntary licensing agreement to facilitate affordable access to molnupiravir in 105 low- and middle-income countries
- On 21 September 2021, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced the selection of two centres in Argentina and Brazil for the development and production of mRNA-based vaccines in Latin America. MPP will be actively supporting this initiative through its expertise
- On 30 July 2021, MPP, WHO, AFRIGEN, BIOVAC, SAMRC, and Africa CDC signed a Letter of Intent to establish the first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub in South Africa
- On 8 June 2021, MPP launched VaxPaL, its new patents database devoted to COVID-19 vaccines.
- On 27 May 2021, MPP expanded its mandate into the licensing of technology with an initial focus on COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic preparedness.
- MPP is currently in discussions with a number of originator companies and research organisations for potential licences for COVID-19 health technologies, including with MSD for a potential licence for molnupiravir.
- In September 2020, MPP became part of the Access to COVID-19 Tool (ACT) Accelerator Therapeutics Pillar led by Unitaid and WHO
- In May 2020, WHO called MPP to join the C-TAP (COVID-19 Technology Access Pool) initiative, a global collaboration to accelerate development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.
- MPP’s experience in facilitating access through its voluntary licensing mechanism means that it could play a central role in applying its intellectual property and licensing expertise to patented products and technologies identified in the fight against COVID-19 to facilitate availability to those who need them most.
- On 31 March 2020, MPP expanded its mandate to include any health technology that could contribute to the global response to COVID-19.
Access Useful Resources
- The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) page from WHO
- The COVID-19 page from Unitaid
- The COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) page from WHO
- The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator page from WHO
- The COVID-19 IP Policy Tracker from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
- PATENTSCOPE COVID-19 INDEX (a new search facility to support COVID-19 innovation efforts) from WIPO
- WIPO Pearl COVID-19 Glossary