The battle against COVID-19 has brought to light glaring inequalities in access to life-saving vaccines. Despite efforts to inoculate the global population, disparities persist, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where vaccine coverage remains strikingly low. However, amidst these challenges, a ray of hope emerges through groundbreaking initiatives like the mRNA Technology Transfer Program.

The mRNA Technology Transfer Program, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), and partners, is designed to encourage the development of sustainable, locally owned mRNA manufacturing capabilities specifically adapted to LMICs. Central to this initiative is Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines (“Afrigen”).

Afrigen is on a mission to mitigate the discrepancy by facilitating vaccine production within LMICs. Pioneering a hub-and-spoke model, Afrigen leads the way as the inaugural entity in a strategic initiative set to expand across LMICs. By transferring technology and knowledge to 15 countries with limited resources and infrastructure, the Hub aims to support the decentralization of production and support the availability of vaccines for all.

Key to this endeavor is the strategic partnership between Afrigen and Univercells, particularly leveraging the innovative production technology NtensifyTM. This technology, developed by Univercells' affiliate Quantoom Biosciences with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, introduces a revolutionary approach to mRNA synthesis and purification, allowing for integrated, scalable and cost-effective mRNA Drug Substance manufacturing.

NtensifyTM Midi at Afrigen's GMP facility in Cape Town, South Africa

Among the pivotal advancements in vaccine production, NtensifyTM stands out as a game-changer, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Its compact design consolidates all process steps, eliminating the necessity for an extensive array of equipment, thus significantly reducing infrastructure investments. Moreover, the system's minimal requirement for labor and RNA expertise not only slashes operational costs but also democratizes access by enabling smoother operation even in settings with limited specialized personnel. Its unique intensified and chain production processes eliminate the need for scaling up, accelerating the development of new medicines, including vaccines, without compromising efficiency or quality. This revolutionary platform signifies a paradigm shift, ensuring vaccine production becomes more feasible and sustainable across diverse global contexts.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded the development of the NtensifyTM technology in 2021. The Foundation recently announced an additional grant to support further developments and technology adoption by the Spokes network as part of the mRNA Technology Transfer Program. In addition, the commitment of organizations like WHO, MPP, Biovac, the African Union, The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and Afrigen, underscores the collaborative spirit necessary to drive this transformative initiative forward.

Since its inception in July 2021, the mRNA Technology Transfer Program has swiftly progressed, laying the groundwork for its operational readiness with essential equipment firmly established. Notably, the program has reached a significant milestone by successfully manufacturing the initial batches of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Noteworthy advancements continue with Quantoom's recent achievement in implementing its cutting-edge Ntensify™ system at Afrigen's GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility in Cape Town, South Africa. Additionally, to date, 15 countries across Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe have gained access to mRNA technology, further amplifying the program's global reach. As the program evolves, specialized training centers are poised to empower beneficiary countries, facilitating their swift transition toward manufacturing safe and effective vaccines.

Afrigen's partnership with Univercells stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology and collaborative efforts. The effective implementation of NtensifyTM not only accelerates COVID-19 vaccine development in Africa but also holds the potential to reshape the landscape of vaccine manufacturing, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable world.