Large pharmaceutical companies, including Moderna, are looking to invest more in Mexico as the country grapples with a severe measles outbreak that has resulted in 31 fatalities and over 10,000 reported cases. This uptick in investment comes in conjunction with the Mexican government's Plan Mexico, which aims to boost local production and development within the nation. The government believes that increasing local vaccine production is critical to improving public health and preventing future outbreaks.

Recently, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the signing of a collaboration agreement with Moderna, along with local labs Liomont and Birmex, to produce messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. This partnership is expected to yield significant positive results over the next five years, including job creation, enhanced research capabilities, and overall growth in Mexico's healthcare sector. The agreement represents a commitment from both the government and private sector to work together in addressing health challenges.

In addition to vaccine production, this initiative underscores Mexico's aspirations to establish itself as a capable player in the global pharmaceutical industry. By leveraging advanced technologies like mRNA, Mexico hopes to not only combat current health crises but also lay the groundwork for future innovations in vaccine development. The collaboration reflects the country’s proactive response to urgent health needs and its broader strategy for developing a resilient and self-sufficient public health infrastructure.