Why manufacturing a key vaccine in South Africa is so important
Vaccines have changed our world - significantly curbing the effects of many human infectious diseases worldwide, drastically reducing child mortality rates and eradicating major pathogens, such as smallpox.
Despite this, universal access to vaccines is a continuing challenge. When epidemics or pandemics occur, it puts strain on the global supply-line and current vaccine manufacturers worldwide may not be able to guarantee sufficient vaccine supplies for all nations. This places countries that don’t manufacture vaccines at risk.
Currently, less than 1% of the vaccines used in Africa are produced in Africa according to the World Health Organisation. A more diversified global vaccine supply chain would reduce Africa’s over-dependency on Europe, India and the USA – reducing the risk that they will clamp down on vaccine exports in the event of a global pandemic.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is committed to building vaccine-manufacturing capacity in Africa. To this end, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has entered a partnership with the private company, Biovac, to develop and manufacture local vaccines to meet the health needs of society.
To find out more about how the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is working to save lives through vaccines, visit innovation.bridge.info.
Ebrahim Mohamed talks about the importance of local vaccine development and manufacturing.
Ebrahim Mohamed is a Synthetic Organic Chemist with over 15 years’ experience in pharmaceuticals and expertise covering business development, product development, technology transfers, process optimisations and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP). He currently manages all CMC related activities with the Science and Innovation department. He shares with us his views on the important role Biovac plays in South Africa’s vaccine manufacturing industry.
“Biovac, a proudly South African and African biopharmaceutical, is dedicated to developing and manufacturing vaccines locally to safeguard lives through immunisation. The importance of local vaccine development and manufacturing lies in reducing dependency on imports, enhancing national health management, and fortifying security by suppling vaccines both locally and internationally.”
“Biovac employs a threefold approach to deliver vaccines within the country. Firstly, through manufacturing vaccines in collaboration with international pharmaceutical companies. Secondly, by importing vaccines through partnerships. Lastly, by contributing to the development of vaccines through local research and development, tailored to meet the specific needs of Africa.”
The services provided by Biovac cater to a diverse range of entities, including public and private hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies, and medical practitioners, both locally and internationally.
For those in the biological industry seeking mutual growth and development, Biovac offers commercial and product collaborations for vaccine development with a focus on fostering partnerships that contribute to the expansion of local vaccine manufacturing capabilities.
Visit visit innovation.bridge.info for more.
Biovac supporting vaccine development and manufacturing.
Biovac is a leading biopharmaceutical company in Africa and partners with The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to promote local vaccine development and manufacturing – in line with the national bioeconomy strategy.
Products
Biovac has supplied vaccines for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in South Africa since 2003. They have supported the South African Department of Health during introductions of new vaccines and vaccination campaigns. Currently, they supply over 15 million doses of vaccines annually to South Africa’s provinces.
Vaccines supplied:
- Bacille Calmette-Guerin Vaccine – BCG for Tuberculosis
- Measles Vaccine for Measles
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine for Pneumonia
- Hexavalent Vaccine for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis,Haemophilus influenzae b infection and Hepatitis B
- Tetanus Toxoid Vaccine for Tetanus
Product development.
Through strategic partnerships, Biovac has been involved in the following:
- Developing and end-to-end bacterial conjugate vaccine capability.
- Developing a technology package for the manufacture of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine.
- Hib technology package is available for technology transfer to additional partners, with exclusivity within a country or region.
- Currently involved in the development of a novel Group B Streptococcus conjugate vaccine.
Manufacturing.
Biovac subscribes to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and offers upstream processing, downstream processing, formulation, inspection, labelling and packaging, and quality control. Biovac undertakes to develop, consistently produce and deliver safe, efficacious and quality-assured products that comply with customer and regulatory requirements. To get involved in the future of South Africa’s health, visit innovation.bridge.info.
Access local vaccine development and manufacturing.
To learn more about Biovac please visit innovation.bridge.info, where you can meet Ebrahim Mohamed and discuss partnering to develop and manufacture vaccines in South Africa.
Department of Science and Innovation
Making sure it’s possible.