Technology transfer in medicine: A pledge to keep humanity over short-term gains

With a proactive approach, pharma giants are opening up to promote technology integration in medicine, which include Cipla, Dr Reddy, Sun Pharma, and Health Biotech. Director of MERCK, Ph. D. George P. Millili stated that a collaborative effort is needed to assure a successful technology transfer and a robust final manufactured product.

In 2021, WHO along with its COVAX group launched a global vaccination drive to provide fair and equitable vaccines to all the countries. It also urged pharma giants across the globe to share their technologies in order to meet global vaccine demands.

The pandemic hit the supply chain and many essential elements required for biopharma manufacturing saw a delay of months, which also affected the price of the essential drugs. Bill Vincent, Founder of Genezen stated that due to such disruptions, the companies are in the need to predict supply accuracy more than ever. It has become increasingly important to raise inventory levels and look for alternative suppliers to minimize shortages.

With a proactive approach, pharma giants are opening up to promote technology integration in medicine; which include Cipla, Dr Reddy, Sun Pharma, and Health Biotech. Director of MERCK, Ph. D. George P. Millili stated that a collaborative effort is needed to assure a successful technology transfer and a robust final manufactured product.

The tech- transfer could further bring FDI in India if other players come forward to share their R&D. This could also increase confidence of other players in manufacturing safe and effective drugs on a larger scale since it’s a complex procedure.

Collective work could play an instrumental role in resolving the biggest issues like supply chain collapse. Taking cognizance from the past, if the pharma giants do come together, it will be easier to respond to any technical challenge that comes over.

In the wake of new Covid-19 variants sweeping through the world, the requirement for regular booster vaccinations would likely continue in the foreseeable future, which would require strong manufacturing and technology support.

To achieve the targets, leading pharmas would be required to speed up transfers for a faster supply of critical medicines to save lives and livelihoods.