The World Health Organization (WHO) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the 6th annual Virtual cGMP Training Marathon, organized by the Product Policies, Access and Manufacturing Support Unit headed by Dr. Jicui Dong. This year’s edition, titled “Building Blocks for Sustained Excellence”, brought together more than 2,500 professionals from across the globe, strengthening efforts to institutionalize Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and build resilient manufacturing ecosystems.
Building on success: A focus on sustaining compliance and quality
The 6th Virtual cGMP Training Marathon advances the recommendations of the 3rd World Local Production Forum (WLPF) by strengthening the skilled workforce essential for sustainable local production, and supporting regulatory strengthening and resilient supply chains, cornerstones of equitable access, health security, and sustainable development
Held from 9 September to 2 October 2025, this year’s marathon expanded on the achievements of the previous five editions by refreshing knowledge of core GMP principles and providing practical insights into quality system fundamentals for vaccine, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Eight interactive sessions, delivered twice weekly over four weeks, explored critical areas such as:
- Pharmaceutical Quality Systems across the product lifecycle
- Optimizing pharmaceutical technology transfer
- Sustained compliance in quality control laboratories
- Cleaning validation and contamination control
- Fundamentals and principles of data integrity
- Best practices in temperature-sensitive supply chains
- Aseptic processing and sterility assurance
- Supplier qualification and material management
Each session blended expert-led lectures, practical case studies, and dynamic Q&A exchanges, providing direct applicability to real-world manufacturing challenges. The key principles and fundamentals shared offer a practical framework for cultivating enduring excellence, fostering a proactive quality culture within organizations, and empowering their ongoing journey toward consistent compliance.
Part of WHO’s Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative
The Virtual cGMP Training Marathon is a flagship capacity-building programme under WHO’s Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative. Since its launch in 2020, this initiative has provided accessible, practice-oriented training to manufacturers and regulators worldwide, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The programme aims to address the shortage of skilled workforce in manufacturing and support Member States in aligning production with international quality standards.
Participant feedback
Dr. Jicui Dong, Unit Head of the Product Policies, Access and Manufacturing Support Unit (and former Unit Head of the former Local Production and Assistance Unit) at WHO, who conceptualized and launched the GMP training marathon in 2020, remarked: "This sixth edition of the Virtual cGMP Training Marathon has once again demonstrated the strong global demand for GMP training. Each year, more than 1,000 professionals join us, and this year participation exceeded 2,000; a clear signal that the need to strengthen competencies in quality manufacturing remains high. The marathon is one of the flagship programmes under WHO’s Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative, and it continues to play a vital role in equipping manufacturers and regulators with the skills needed to build resilient local production systems that ensure equitable access to safe, effective, and quality-assured health products worldwide."
The training received positive feedback from participants, underscoring its value in strengthening their understanding of core cGMP principles and their practical application across vaccine, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical manufacturing:
Food and Drug Administrator from National Regulatory Authority in the Philippines remarked: “It was a blend of learning, collaboration, and purpose. Not only a milestone, but also a meaningful experience.”
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer, Quality & Compliance Officer, from a biopharmaceutical manufacturer in Bangladesh expressed: “Continuous learning and collaboration are the keys to sustained excellence in pharmaceutical quality and patient safety. Initiatives like this strengthen individuals and organizations in their mission to deliver safe, effective medicines. This training motivates us to uphold the highest standards in healthcare manufacturing.”
Production Pharmacist from a Pharmaceutical Manufacturer in Nigeria conveyed “Thank you for your unwavering dedication, patience, and passion. You didn’t just teach; you inspired. The impact you’ve made will flourish far beyond this training.”
R&D officer from a Pharmaceutical Manufacturer and Laboratories in Lebanon mentioned“Thank you for the informative sessions. The insights shared were very useful and will help us enhance our knowledge and apply it for the benefit of our customers.”
Regulatory Affairs officer from a Biopharmaceutical Manufacturer in Mexico noted that “It was an enriching and very useful experience. I am encouraged to apply this knowledge to improve the overall quality of processes in my country.”
GMP-/GDP-Inspector from a National Regulatory Authority in Germany stated “Thank you very much for the organisation. I enjoyed the informative sessions. Keep it up!”
Looking ahead: WHO’s continued commitment
This sixth edition reaffirmed WHO’s dedication to addressing the global shortage of skilled professionals in manufacturing through targeted capacity-building led by the Product Policies, Access and Manufacturing Support Unit. By equipping participants with essential cGMP knowledge and competencies, the programme strengthens the foundations of resilient and sustainable manufacturing systems. At the same time, it reflects the Unit’s continued commitment to supporting countries and regions in advancing local production and technology transfer, thereby improving equitable access to quality-assured health products and safeguarding health security in both peacetime and during health emergencies.
For further information and inquiries about the Unit’s activities and initiatives, please visit the WHO website or contact localproduction@who.int.
The 2025 Virtual cGMP Training Marathon was financially supported by the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships (EC INTPA) and the Government of Belgium.