End-to-end technology transfer initiatives for vaccines to improve availability

Vaccines are a powerful tool for preventing illness, reducing the need for medical treatment and protecting lives. Many countries rely heavily on imports of vaccines from abroad; in fact, Africa imports 99% of its vaccines.¹

Technology transfer can be an effective way to boost domestic manufacturing in LMICs and reduce supply risks that ultimately impact the lives of patients. Vaccine manufacturing involves multiple steps: synthesis of active ingredients, formulation of a stable solution, filling syringes or vials and packaging products in labelled containers. By transferring skills and know-how for end-to-end manufacturing (see Appendix VI), companies can reduce reliance on imported vaccine substances from abroad and upskill new vaccine manufacturers that can be key partners in the vaccine supply network for LMICs in the future.

Best Practice 

The 2024 Index identified that, MSD and Takeda are the only companies with active technology transfer initiatives for vaccines in LMICs that cover end-to-end manufacturing. Given the complexity of processes, stricter regulatory requirements and higher costs involved, vaccine manufacturing often requires the investment of more time and resources than for small molecule production or other biologicals. For this reason, these two companies’ efforts stand out.

MSD is transferring technology to Indonesia’s Bio Farma to make its quadrivalent HPV vaccine (NusaGard), with the aim for Bio Farma to assume end-to-end production in future, including the manufacture of active substances. Bio Farma has made an initial 3.1 million doses for Indonesia’s HPV immunisation programme. Distributed across 38 provinces, this vaccine will be given to pre-teen girls supporting the government's aim to eliminate cervical cancer in the country by 2030.

Takeda is transferring technology to India’s Biological E. Ltd (Bio-E) in India, enabling it to make all components for the vaccine Qdenga® (TAK-003), which protects against dengue. The manufactured vaccines will support dengue immunisation programmes for children aged 6 to 16 years in India, a country ranked among the top 10 with the highest disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate for dengue.² Qdenga® will also be made available in other countries where dengue is endemic, potentially supplied through organisations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Pan American Health Organization. Takeda and Bio-E have partnered to make up to 50 million doses per year, supporting Takeda's efforts to deliver 100 million doses per year by 2030.

Conclusion 

Where technology transfers can help ensure continuous supply of key vaccines and support countries’ immunisation efforts, companies may consider partnering with local manufacturers to fully manufacture vaccines for local and regional supply. MSD and Takeda show what is possible for vaccine technology transfer in South Asia, but there are yet greater manufacturing gaps in sub-Saharan Africa that must also be addressed.

End-to-end technology transfers do not, by themselves, ensure patients’ access to products. That said, in addition to efforts, such as pricing strategies and health system strengthening, these initiatives can increase availability of lifesaving vaccines.

_{1. UN Children's Fund. Africa CDC and UNICEF Expand Partnership to Strengthen Health Systems and Immunization of Children in Africa. Published online 2024. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/africa-cdc-and-unicef-expand-partnership-strengthen-health-systems-and-immunization}

_{2. Institute For Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Results. Published online 2021. https://www.healthdata.org/data-tools-practices/interactive-visuals/gbd-results.}