On Aug. 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox (previously called monkeypox) as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) as a result of the increasing rates of infection that are being witnessed in African countries (1). The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of independent experts had advised WHO on the level of concern about the spread of the virus and the potential for the virus to penetrate other continents.

Two years ago, in July 2022, the multi-country outbreak of mpox was also declared a PHEIC; however, after less than a year, in May 2023, that PHEIC was declared over as a sustained decline in global cases was seen (1). A new virus strain of mpox, clade 1b, has emerged and has been rapidly spreading.

When the first PHEIC was declared for mpox in 2022 for a less deadly strain of the virus, the bio/pharma industry went to bat quickly and utilized experience from the COVID-19 pandemic to work efficiently. One of the main players from the 2022 outbreak, Bavarian Nordic, is proving its worth once again, committing to donate 40,000 doses of its mpox vaccine to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2). “Mpox is spreading at an alarming rate in Africa, calling for further action from the international community,” said Paul Chaplin, president and chief executive officer of Bavarian Nordic, in a press release (2).

The 40,000 vaccines from Bavarian Nordic will form part of a larger donation of 215,000 doses that will be provided by the European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (3). However, many more vaccines will be needed, and WHO has triggered the Emergency-Use Listing process for mpox vaccines and started working with countries and vaccine manufacturers on potential donations (1).

“The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying,” warned Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, in his PHEIC declaration announcement (1). “On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”

1. WHO. WHO Director-General Declares Mpox Outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Press Release, Aug. 14, 2024.
2. Bavarian Nordic. Bavarian Nordic Receives Order from HERA and Announces Significant Donation of Vaccines in Response to the Mpox Outbreak in Africa. Press Release, Aug. 13, 2024.
3. EC. Mpox: HERA to Donate Over 215,000 Vaccines to Africa CDC Amid Urgent Outbreak. Press Release, Aug. 14, 2024.

Mike Hennessy Jr is president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences®

When referring to this article, please cite it as Hennessy, M. Responding to Mpox. 

Articles

From the CEO

A coordinated and international response is needed to help control the latest mpox outbreak in Africa.

Responding to Mpox

In 2024, the warmest day in recent history was experienced on Earth, with the daily global average temperature reaching 17.16 °C (1). In fact, over the past 13 months there has been a vast difference in temperature when compared with previous records, which is demonstrating the impact of climate change at an alarming scale.

Trying to stem the impact of global warming is something that is continually being assessed across many global industries, including the bio/pharma industry. Various initiatives and strategies have been put in place, such as 

 (2), aimed at helping economies and society in general become more sustainable. However, according to research, the healthcare sector contributes to 4.4% of global carbon emissions (3).

A report from NIRAS, a global manufacturing consultancy company, has set out a strategic framework for decarbonization and emphasized the importance of ‘future state planning’ for life sciences companies (4). Future state planning is a methodical approach whereby companies start by analyzing current practices in detail to see where change is needed and then develop a framework through which they can measure progress being made while also ensuring accountability.

However, future state planning, as with decarbonization in general, should not just be considered as a singular event, as specified in the report: “Future state planning is not a one-time effort; it is an ongoing process that requires regular review and adjustment […] Embarking on the decarbonization journey is a commitment to transformative change. It is a voyage that requires meticulous planning, steadfast determination, and the agility to adapt to new discoveries and innovations along the way.”

“As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the process industries must take bold steps to decarbonize their operations,” said Lis Thodberg, sustainability director, NIRAS, in the report (4). “This transition is not just an environmental imperative but also a strategic business move, as stakeholders increasingly value sustainability.”

1. Copernicus. New Record Daily Global Average Temperature Reached in July 2024. News Release, 25 July 2024.
2. EC. COM(2019) 640 Final. Communication from the Commission: 

. Brussels, Belgium (December 2019).
3. Dehipawala, S.; Goldman, E.; Hwang, E.; et al. The Pharmaceutical Industry’s Carbon Footprint and Current Mitigation Strategies: A Literature Review. Poster Presentation at the 2023 ISPOR Annual Conference, Boston, MA, 7–10 May 2023.
4. NIRAS. 

Decarbonisation in the Process Industries: What Can Manufacturers Do Now?

When referring to this article, please cite it as Thomas, F. Strategic Decarbonization. 

From The Editor

Bio/pharma companies should be approaching their decarbonization journey as a strategic business move for the future as industry stakeholders are placing greater value on sustainability.

Pharmaceutical Technology, September 2024

Responding to Mpox

Strategic Decarbonization