From July 29 to 30, Rio de Janeiro hosted the second edition of the Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit (GPPS). Co-organized by the Ministry of Health, Fiocruz and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the event brought together experts in research, development and manufacturing; government authorities; representatives of civil society; and leaders from industry and the global health community at the Windsor Marapendi Hotel in Barra da Tijuca.
The main purpose of the Summit is to jointly find global solutions to face future outbreaks and pandemics more quickly and equitably for all countries. To this end, speakers discussed topics such as the state of global preparedness and response to pandemics, advances and opportunities in epidemiological surveillance, equitable access to health products and technologies and financing models, seeking a spirit of collaboration and collective commitment to advance the global pandemic preparedness agenda.
In addition to consulting with Bio-Manguinhos to prepare the schedule of round tables and lectures, the event also included the participation of the Institute's board of directors as speakers and debaters. On the first day, Mauricio Zuma, Bio's director, participated in a panel on how local and regional production can contribute to expanding equitable access to vaccines and drugs during outbreaks and pandemics.
On the second day, Rosane Cuber, the Institute's vice-director of Quality, took part in the debate on strategies to enable sustainable regional manufacturing. In the area of epidemiological surveillance, Patrícia Alvarez, from Bio-Manguinhos' Diagnostics Development Department, presented a brief history of the NAT kit development process and explained how it was crucial for the Institute's entire structure of innovation, research and development in diagnostics.
Bio-Manguinhos and CEPI’s Global Network of Vaccine Manufacturers
An agreement was also signed during the event that integrates Bio-Manguinhos into CEPI’s Global Network of Vaccine Manufacturers. The network works to support faster and more equitable responses to future emerging infectious disease threats, and Bio-Manguinhos’ participation will significantly boost vaccine production efforts in the Latin American and Caribbean region, increasing the capacity to produce vaccines in response to epidemic and pandemic threats.
The agreement provides for an investment of US$17.9 million and will collaborate to diversify Bio-Manguinhos’ vaccine manufacturing capabilities, expanding new rapid-response mRNA and viral vector vaccine technology platforms against infectious diseases. The financing will also optimize manufacturing processes and technological capabilities to strengthen regional vaccine supply, in addition to enhancing capabilities such as vaccine bottling and finishing.
Reducing the time needed to manufacture and validate the first batches of experimental vaccines is essential to enable a faster response to a growing outbreak. This agreement is therefore aligned with CEPI’s “100-Day Mission”, a project that aims to reduce the time needed to develop safe, effective and globally accessible vaccines against new threats to just 100 days.
“Bio-Manguinhos has been dedicated to ensuring local capacities in technology, innovation and manufacturing to support sustainable and equitable access to biological products. Being part of CEPI’s network of manufacturers represents a milestone in our ongoing preparedness efforts and reinforces our commitment to building resilient health ecosystems, ‘leaving no one behind’”, says Mauricio Zuma.
Letter in defense of health sovereignty for the Global South
Also during the Summit, Fiocruz president Mário Moreira announced the signing of a letter in defense of health sovereignty in the innovation and development of diagnostics, vaccines and medicines to face international public health emergencies in the Global South. Signed by representatives of ten organizations, led by Fiocruz, the document lists six key points to be achieved to overcome disparities in access to vaccines, medicines and supplies between the North and South of the globe, such as collaboration between regulatory agencies, information sharing, technology transfer and robust investments in research and development, innovation and production.
“The Global South was the region that suffered the most during the pandemic, with difficulties in accessing products, especially vaccines. What we propose in this letter is a new North-South relationship, in which the scientific and technological conditions of the countries of the Global South are respected, and a better distribution of production is discussed, and where we can cooperate at different levels, based on respect and recognition that these countries have much to contribute to global preparedness for new pandemics,” said Moreira.
Among the signatories of the letter are Fiocruz, the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), the Pasteur Network, the West African Health Organization, the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDI), the Everyone for Health Institute (ITpS), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Latin American Alliance for Global Health (Alasag) and the Movement for Sustainable Health Equity (Shem).
Text: Thais Christ
Image: Peter Ilicciev