Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network: doing good by making high-quality vaccines affordable for all.

The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) is a unique model of a public and private international alliance. It assembles governmental and private organizations to work toward a common goal of manufacturing and supplying high-quality vaccines at affordable prices to protect people around the world from known and emerging infectious diseases. Together, this group of manufacturers has decades of experience in manufacturing vaccines, with technologies, know-how, and capacity to produce more than 40 vaccines types. These manufacturers have already contributed more than 30 vaccines in various presentations that have been prequalified by the World Health Organization for use by global immunization programmes. Furthermore, more than 45 vaccines are in the pipeline. Recent areas of focus include vaccines to protect against rotavirus, human papillomavirus (HPV), Japanese encephalitis, meningitis, hepatitis E, poliovirus, influenza, and pertussis, as well as combined pentavalent vaccines for children. The network has a growing number of manufacturers that produce a growing number of products to supply the growing demand for vaccines in developing countries.

Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN): engaging to step up for vaccine discovery and access. Meeting report 2012.

At the annual general meeting of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) members renewed their engagement and cooperative spirit in pursuing the mission of increasing the quality and availability of affordable vaccines for all people. Thirteen years after its establishment, DCVMN moves into the Decade of Vaccines with renewed dynamism and synergy to create greater impact and shape the global and regional vaccination landscape, while supporting national growth. The DCVMN is growing: 12 new members joined in 2012, making a total of 37 members from 14 countries; 9 of these 37 manufacturers make WHO-prequalified vaccines. More than one hundred and forty delegates from 23 countries attended the annual general meeting, representing 24 vaccine manufacturers and leaders of 20 major global health institutions. Over the course of two days, delegates exchanged information and ideas on how to jointly achieve the common goal of protecting people against known and emerging infectious diseases. In an increasingly complex environment of new technologies, demanding regulatory requirements, higher cost of production, and a growing number of legal and intellectual property issues, it is observed that many manufacturers and stakeholders are engaged in technology transfer initiatives. This well-attended meeting highlighted the growing impact and important contributions of developing country vaccine manufacturers in shaping the global vaccine landscape. The successful introduction of the first ever vaccine against hepatitis E and of a new vaccine against meningitis A, tailored for African meningitis belt countries, illustrate the innovative capacity of DCVMN members. An increase in the variety of collaborations, partnerships and alliances between DCVM and various institutions was observed. Interestingly, bilateral technology transfer partnerships between DCVMs themselves are on the rise.

Immunogenicity and safety of IXIARO (IC51) in a Phase II study in healthy Indian children between 1 and 3 years of age.

For adults the standard administration of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine IXIARO is two injections of 6 microg in a 28-day interval. Immunogenicity and safety of 3 and 6 microg of IXIARO compared to JenceVac were investigated in 60 healthy Indian children aged between 1 and 3 years. JE specific neutralizing antibodies were measured at baseline and 28 days after the first and second vaccination. On Day 56 SCR of the 3 and 6 microg IXIARO and the JenceVac group were 95.7%, 95.2% and 90.9%, respectively, and GMT were 201, 218 and 230, respectively, both without statistically significant difference between the three groups. Local and systemic tolerability were captured in a diary 7 days post-vaccination. No apparent difference was seen in the safety profile between the vaccines. These first immunogenicity and safety data in children are promising and support the use of a 3 microg dose in children below the age of three for further development of IXIARO in the paediatric population.

The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN) is a critical constituency to ensure access to vaccines in developing countries.

Six years after its establishment, the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers' Network (DCVMN) has become the main representing body for emerging vaccine manufacturers from the developing world. The Network's main strategic priority (increase access to DPT-based combination vaccines containing vaccines against Hepatitis B (HepB) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)) has now come close to fulfillment due in part to the transfer of conjugation technology from The Netherlands Vaccine Institute (NVI) to various manufacturers of the Network. It is argued that at the international level more push mechanisms for product development involving DCVM are needed, including those promoting access to technology and transfer of technology, know how and technical skills from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to developing countries. At the national level, governments of countries in which DCVMN manufacturers operate should provide more generous funding for all aspects of vaccines and immunization including incentives to manufacturers to develop and import new technologies. These two approaches will contribute to the long-term viability of domestic or regional vaccine manufacturing, which in itself is critical to ensure global equity of access to vaccines.