GAP projects: capacity enhancement and technology transfer in developing countries
As part of a concerted effort to ensure more equitable access to a potential pandemic influenza vaccine, the following developing countries have been awarded grants by WHO (over two rounds) to establish in-country manufacturing capacity for influenza vaccine. The countries are:
Brazil:
Fundacao/Instituto Butantan
Egypt:
Holding Company for Biological Products & Vaccines (Vacsera)
India:
Serum Institute of India
Indonesia:
PT Bio Farma
Iran:
Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute
Mexico:
Laboratorios de Biologicos y Reactivos de Mexico (Birmex)
Republic of Korea:
Green Cross Corporation
Romania:
Cantacuzino National Research Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology
Serbia:
Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera Torlak
Thailand:
Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO)
Viet Nam:
Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC)
Of these manufacturers, India, Indonesia, Romania and the Republic of Korea currently have licensed influenza vaccines on the market and the remaining manufacturers have vaccines in late stage development. Financial support has been provided by US Department of Health & Human Services, Government of Japan, Asian Development Bank, Government of Canada and the UK Government.
International Technology Platform for Influenza Vaccines (ITPIV)
WHO facilitated the creation of a "technology transfer hub" at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), formerly the Netherlands Vaccine Institute (NVI), to provide training in the production of inactivated whole virion influenza vaccine produced in embryonated eggs. The institute has run five international influenza vaccine production courses which were attended by staff from WHO grantee manufacturers.
Vaccine Formulation Laboratory, University of Lausanne (WHO Collaborating Centre)
The use of adjuvants with pandemic influenza vaccine could reduce the dose of antigen needed for effective immunization. The vaccine formulation laboratory at the University of Lausanne is a WHO collaborating centre which has been created to facilitate access to adjuvants and know-how for adjuvant formulation. The centre has recently began training on oil-in-water emulsions to developing country manufacturers.