Sinergium Biotech to Share H5N1 Vaccine Data Globally

Bird flu vaccine developer Sinergium Biotech will share its data with manufacturers in low and middle-income countries. This initiative, supported by the World Health Organization, aims to accelerate fair distribution in case of a pandemic. Sinergium is developing an mRNA vaccine against the H5N1 virus and will collaborate with 15 countries within the WHO's mRNA technology transfer hub programme.

Bird flu vaccine developer Sinergium Biotech is set to share its data with manufacturers in low and middle-income countries to expedite fair distribution if a pandemic arises, announced the World Health Organization on Monday.

The Argentine biopharmaceutical firm is in the early stages of developing mRNA vaccines against the H5N1 virus. Sinergium has pledged to share its findings with a WHO-established network of partner manufacturers, primarily set up during the peak of COVID-19 to improve access to lifesaving medical tools in poorer nations. This marks the first instance of a partner, possessing a developing vaccine, volunteering to share its data.

Dr. Martin Friede, head of the WHO vaccine research unit, stated that partners could commence initial trials with an H5N1 candidate to equip facilities ahead of a potential pandemic. The WHO's mRNA technology transfer hub includes manufacturers from 15 countries, though not all are fully operational. Participants include Biovac in South Africa and Institut Pasteur in Senegal.

The South African hub was established after global pharmaceutical giants like Moderna and Pfizer declined to share COVID vaccine know-how due to intellectual property concerns. The recent H5N1 outbreak in the U.S. led Washington to allocate $176 million to Moderna for advancing its bird flu vaccine.

While the WHO considers the public risk from avian influenza low, it warns of its pandemic potential due to its animal spread. Though companies like Moderna and Pfizer could produce vaccines faster, the WHO programme allows Sinergium's partners to start production swiftly, mitigating reliance on handouts in poorer countries.

Currently, available H5N1 vaccines take months to produce using chicken eggs. Sinergium's mRNA vaccine is yet to undergo human trials. Moderna, however, is set for late-stage human trials next year.

(With inputs from agencies.)