Advancing innovation for vaccine manufacturers from developing countries: Prioritization, barriers, opportunities

Benoit Hayman,Alex Bowles,Beth Evans,Elizabeth Eyermann,Lyudmila Nepomnyashchiy,Sonia Pagliusi

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.12.085

Abstract

Development of novel vaccines and improving existing vaccines is critical to addressing areas of unmet or under-addressed health needs globally and to improving existing vaccination coverage and equity. However, vaccine innovation is costly and highly complex. To understand how vaccine manufacturers from developing countries approach innovation, a survey was conducted among company members of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative. The survey confirmed that vaccine manufacturers from developing countries are committed to vaccine innovation: 95% of respondents have interest in pursuing vaccine innovation, with strategies targeted towards supplying to low- and middle-income countries. Key barriers to innovation were also surveyed, with respondents highlighting challenges regarding access to in-licensing or joint venture partnerships, financing, and regulatory barriers. Opportunities for innovation are also discussed.

Highlights

The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) is a public-health driven alliance representing vaccine manufacturers from developing countries, as defined by the United Nations’ World Economic Situation and Prospect report [1]
In 2019, an internal survey reported that 33 manufacturers from this global Network had 181 vaccine projects in the Research and Development (R&D) pipeline, of which 24 were novel vaccines [2]
Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and DCVMN have collaborated to better understand the innovation challenges faced by vaccine manufacturers from developing countries

Summary

Introduction

The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) is a public-health driven alliance representing vaccine manufacturers from developing countries, as defined by the United Nations’ World Economic Situation and Prospect report [1]. In 2019, an internal survey reported that 33 manufacturers from this global Network had 181 vaccine projects in the Research and Development (R&D) pipeline, of which 24 were novel vaccines [2]. Over the past decade these manufacturers have demonstrated an increasing commitment to innovation, looking to develop novel vaccines against emerging disease, in addition to improving product presentation of existing vaccines [3]. The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is a global health, non-profit organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. CHAI works to strengthen the capabilities of governments and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems, with a team focusing on improving access to vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. CHAI and DCVMN have collaborated to better understand the innovation challenges faced by vaccine manufacturers from developing countries (hereafter referred to as DCVMs)

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Conclusion