Medicines Australia welcomes landmark global collaboration to fight COVID-19

Pharma News: Medicines Australia welcomes the landmark global collaboration announced on 25 April 2020 that brings together critical health organisations and stakeholders, including the biopharmaceutical industry, to accelerate the development, production and equitable global access to new COVID-19 essential health technologies.

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA), the body representing the innovative biopharmaceutical industry, will join the global collaboration as a founding partner to represent industry.

Medicines Australia CEO Elizabeth de Somer said “This collaborative partnership represents an extremely important global milestone in the fight against COVID-19 and the biopharmaceutical industry is very pleased to be a critical contributor to this important initiative.

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“Time is of the essence now and focussing all of our efforts, our knowledge and expertise will help facilitate rapid progress in uncovering safe and effective solutions to this global health crisis,” said Ms de Somer.

“Our industry has been working tirelessly to uncover COVID-19 therapeutics and vaccines.  And we welcome the opportunity to apply our significant expertise in research and development, clinical trials and importantly large scale manufacturing and distribution capacity to help solve this crisis,” she added.

The industry statement delivered by Thomas Cueni, Director General of IFPMA states “The biopharmaceutical industry is acutely aware of the enormous responsibility we have to patients and society to engage in unprecedented levels of collaboration to find a solution to COVID-19. We stand ready to bring to this partnership our unique knowledge and expertise in the discovery and development of medicines and vaccines, as well as our experience building manufacturing capacity and distribution networks. We will only succeed in this journey together”.

At present the World Health Organisation states at least 70 COVID-19 vaccines are in development, while scientists at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) suggest there may be as many as 115.

The international collaboration includes the Gates Foundation, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Interventions, Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund, UNITAID, Wellcome Trust, World Health Organisation and IFPMA.

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