Global Forum on Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Reproductive Health

The forum aimed to advance the development and introduction of Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs), which are products that simultaneously address multiple sexual and reproductive health needs, including unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other reproductive tract infections. MPTs include vaccines, microbicides, and devices, such as intravaginal rings and single-sized diaphragms, that can provide additional health benefits. The development of MPTs is crucial for improving health and saving resources globally, particularly in Africa and Asia, where MPTs are most urgently needed. The Global Forum brought together more than 60 diverse experts to review and debate existing evidence and new ideas on issues critical to developing and delivering MPTs, including product development, regulatory pathways, and programmatic issues. The forum explored and consolidated the views expressed by colleagues from many different regions of the world, and participants proposed and committed to taking forward a number of concrete next steps to advance the MPT field. These next steps include creating a Roadmap for MPT Development and Delivery, strengthening and expanding coordination among researchers, donors, and global health advocates, encouraging harmonized regulatory pathways, fostering new partnerships, and initiating national and regional communications. The creation of a Roadmap for MPT Development and Delivery was identified as a key priority, aiming to characterize the pipeline from discovery through approval, analyze the pipeline against MPT Target Product Profiles, and link both with potential regulatory pathways. The resulting Roadmap would provide an important framework for researchers and donors to prioritize development actions and investments. The key US government donors at the Global Forum agreed to work together on this process, which will be coordinated by the IMPT. Enhanced coordination among researchers, donors, and global health advocates interested in MPTs will build on CAMI's ongoing efforts. As Secretariat for the IMPT, CAMI provides a forum for exchanging information and ideas across basic science, research and development, stakeholder engagement, and potential delivery of MPTs. The IMPT is working on a five-year strategic plan to continue to support and coordinate multi-disciplinary collaboration, facilitate funding for research and development, expand US and global funding and support, and assist with efforts toward an MPT Roadmap. The Global Forum also brought together experts who have worked in and with diverse regulatory authorities, most of whom concurred that the definitions surrounding "combination products" and "multiple indications" put forward by the US Food & Drug Administration would provide a useful framework for considering MPTs. Ongoing efforts at regulatory harmonization are creating a climate conducive to addressing public health problems, and the MPT field can build upon these harmonization efforts. The Population Council will continue its work to encourage this dialogue and information sharing. The Global Forum drew representatives from the private sector and public-private partnerships, key stakeholders in the global health arena with complementary perspectives to the scientific and advocacy focus of the MPT field to date. Working with these and other partners, the IMPT will explore appropriate approaches to technology transfer, manufacture, and distribution in key markets, so that these critical perspectives are fully incorporated into the MPT development process. The success of the Global Forum reflected not only the wealth of experience of the diverse participants but also their readiness to engage in vigorous debate. This meeting significantly highlighted the need for MPTs and the importance of continuing to push forward the scientific and policy agenda. Participants identified a number of clear actions and concrete next steps to advance the MPT field, including the creation of a Roadmap for MPT Development and Delivery, strengthened and expanded coordination, encouragement of harmonized regulatory pathways, fostering new partnerships, and initiating national and regional communications.