CVR - Coronavirus Vaccines R&D Roadmap

Milestone
5.3.b

Platform transfer

In progress

Through global initiatives supporting the manufacture of various vaccine-platform technologies: (1) design and build manufacturing sites meeting the GMP criteria for vaccines, (2) transfer expertise for various vaccine platforms and other relevant technologies, and (3) begin producing vaccines in at least several new locations, with a plan to maintain capacity over time and through inter-pandemic years.

Progress Highlights

Global Initiatives

The WHO mRNA Vaccine Technology Transfer Hub was developed to enhance the ability of LMICs to manufacture mRNA vaccines through specialized training and capacity building and the establishment of centers of excellence. As of May 2025, the program includes 15 partners and is expanding activities beyond COVID-19 vaccines to broader mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, aiming to build sustainable LMIC manufacturing that can be rapidly repurposed for future health emergencies.

WHO launched the Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative in 2023 to strengthen LMIC vaccine production by offering annual in-depth GMP programs and hands-on courses through Korea’s Global Training Hub, aligning local industry with WHO/international quality standards.

WHO developed the Virtual cGMP Training Marathon for “Vaccine Manufacturing: Principles into Practice” in 2023, an open-access, virtual training program on WHO vaccine-specific GMP standards and practices for industry and regulators. 
 

Africa

In partnership with the African Union and Africa CDC, Gavi launched the African Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) in 2024, with $1.2 billion invested to advance regional GMP capacity. New initiatives announced in 2025 include Egypt’s EVA Pharma (with DNA Script/Quantoom/Unizima) to build Africa’s first end-to-end mRNA platform (100M doses/year) and Egypt’s Biogeneric Pharma to partner with South Africa’s Afrigen on mRNA R&D.

BioNTech's Modular Facilities: In February 2022, BioNTech introduced the "BioNTainer," a modular system designed for scalable mRNA vaccine production. The first facility utilizing this system was inaugurated in Kigali, Rwanda, in December 2023, marking BioNTech's initial manufacturing site in Africa. CEPI committed $145 million in May 2024 to support the project.

In 2023, the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) and CEPI signed a 10-year agreement to strengthen vaccine manufacturing capabilities and expertise in Senegal.
 

Asia

Bio Farma in Indonesia and CEPI have signed a 10-year agreement to expand build mRNA and viral vector vaccine manufacturing capacity in Indonesia and strengthen epidemic preparedness and response in the ASEAN region. 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in November 2023 approved a $336.5 million loan package to support the manufacturing and regulation of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics and promote vaccine supply security in Bangladesh. 
 

Latin America and the Caribbean

CEPI and PAHO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster technology transfer to facilitate regional vaccine manufacturing and supply in Latin America and the Caribbean. PAHO has conducted a number of activities to strengthen vaccine manufacturing capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean, including a four-month training course, a meeting of the WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, and a joint project of PAHO and Global Affairs Canada. 

CEPI committed $18 million in 2024 to strengthen Brazil’s Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz manufacturing capacity, funding rapid-response mRNA and viral-vector platforms and a new WHO-GMP “fill-and-finish” facility (CIBS) at the Santa Cruz campus.

In 2023, Sinergium Biotech (Argentina) and BioManguinhos (Brazil) began development of mRNA vaccine candidates as part of an initiative to build manufacturing capacity, reduce import dependency, and improve equitable access to vaccines in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, with PAHO and the support of Global Affairs Canada, and integrating into WHO’s mRNA technology-transfer network. 
 

Oceania

Moderna's Facility in Australia: Moderna opened its first commercial-scale mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Australia, in 2024 to enhance pandemic preparedness.

Disu 2024 describes how the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative (AVMI) operates as a pan-African industry convener that, aligned with Africa CDC’s PAVM and GAVI’s AVMA, advances technology transfer, regulatory strengthening, financing, and demand-shaping to expand quality-assured, multi-site vaccine manufacturing in Africa with mechanisms (e.g., pooled procurement) to sustain capacity between pandemics.

The first African Vaccine Manufacturing Supply Chain Forum took place in February 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, to assess African supply chain challenges and strengthen Africa’s existing vaccine manufacturing capacity.

In 2023, WHO’s Local Production and Assistance unit convened regulators, industry, and partners from 11 African countries, supported by Gavi, UNICEF, and PAVM, to strengthen local vaccine-manufacturing ecosystems, align with WHO GMP/GxP standards, and bolster quality assurance in African production.

CEPI launched the Vaccine Manufacturing Facility Network (VMFN) targeting existing vaccine manufacturers in the global south in 2022. The program aims to grow the global vaccine production base to improve outbreak readiness and support member sustainability in inter-epidemic periods. As of the end of 2024, the network comprises 5 global south partners across three continents.