Page 150 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

mRNA Technology Transfer Hub

The mRNA Technology Transfer Hub is a partnership Education, Science and Technology. The latest
between the World Health Organization (WHO), data presented at the meeting confirmed that
Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), Afrigen Biologics SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) vaccines were no longer a
(Pty) Limited, the Biologicals and Vaccines Institute priority for the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub, and
of Southern Africa (Biovac), the SAMRC, and the that all projects previously focused on COVID-19
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention were to realign their scope towards other diseases
(Africa CDC). The main objective of the hub is to of interest for their respective context.
build mRNA vaccine research, development and
manufacturing capabilities in South-Africa and After the mRNA Summit, the Scientific and Technical
other low- and middle-income countries to enable Review Committee of the hub recommended
a more equitable response to future pandemics. deprioritisation of the development of vaccines for
The SAMRC established the South African mRNA the Omicron BA1 variant. GIPD thereafter hosted
Vaccine Consortium (SAMVAC) in 2022 to drive the first SAMVAC Strategic Committee Meeting
the research, development and testing of mRNA on 20th June 2023 to evaluate the status of the
vaccine candidates, focusing on the priority diseases active projects and strategize on the next steps.
of South-Africa and Africa. SAMVAC comprises of The SAMVAC Strategic Committee comprises
leading institutions across South Africa involved SAMRC representatives, local funders and key
in vaccine R&D, including the University of the members of SAMVAC and was established to
Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town, the proactively review the SAMVAC programme and to
African Health Research Institute, the University of ensure the programme remains responsive to the
Stellenbosch, North-West University, the National SAMVAC objectives. The Committee concurred
Institute for Communicable Diseases, the SAMRC with the deprioritisation of COVID-19 activities and
and Afrigen Biologics.
recommended downscaling COVID-19 genomic
The WHO and MPP co-hosted a four-day mRNA surveillance, inclusion of wastewater surveillance,
Summit in Cape Town from 17 -21 April 2023. This and shifting priorities to focus on an expanded TB
th
th
prominent meeting was attended by Dr Tedros programme, continuation of the HIV programme
Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World and inclusion of a third disease for Africa, Rift Valley
Health Organization, Dr Joe Phaahla, Minister of Fever. These projects are all making good progress
Health, and Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher and will be expanded in 2024.

148 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24