mRNA Vaccine Development Advances Against Avian Influenza (H5N1)

A new World Health Organization (WHO) project aims to accelerate the development and accessibility of human avian influenza (H5N1) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates.

The Argentinian manufacturer Sinergium Biotech is leading this effort, leveraging the WHO and the Medicines Patent Pool mRNA Technology Transfer Programme.

Sinergium Biotech has developed candidate H5N1 vaccines and aims to establish proof-of-concept in preclinical models. Once the preclinical data package is concluded, the technology, materials, and expertise will be shared with other vaccine manufacturing partners, accelerating the development of H5N1 vaccine candidates and bolstering pandemic preparedness efforts.

The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, jointly developed by WHO and MPP, was launched in July 2021.

"This initiative exemplifies why WHO established the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme – to foster greater research, development, and production in low- and middle-income countries so that when the next pandemic arrives, the world will be better prepared to mount a more effective and more equitable response," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press release on July 29, 2024.

Avian influenza viruses are a public health risk due to their global circulation in birds and mammals. According to the WHO, they have the potential to cause a future human pandemic.

However, the WHO says avian influenza viruses are currently a low risk for most people.

In the United States, avian influenza vaccines have been developed, candidates are under development, and one has been U.S. FDA-approved.