Geneva. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a project in Argentina to develop a vaccine against bird flu in poorer countries. This is a vaccine against the H5N1 virus based on mRNA technology, which has contributed to the development of vaccines in record time during the coronavirus pandemic.
Argentine manufacturer Sinergium Biotech already has a vaccine candidate, which will now be developed with the support of the WHO and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). The company wants to demonstrate the efficacy of its vaccine candidate in preclinical models.
Lessons from the corona pandemic
The MPP aims to provide people in low- and middle-income countries with access to high-quality, affordable medicines. WHO and the MPP developed an mRNA transfer programme three years ago, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, to boost research capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
“Avian influenza viruses pose a significant risk to public health because they are widespread among animals and have the potential to cause a pandemic,” the WHO said.
O H5N1 virus has spread worldwide. Both wild and farm animals are affected, including cows. So far, most infected people have been in close contact with animals. According to current knowledge, there is no ongoing human-to-human transmission. Concerns But the virus continues to change and adapt in mammals. (dpa)