The South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac inaugurated on Thursday (6) a state-of-the-art product development laboratory in Cape Town, supported by the Gates Foundation, with the goal of helping the continent develop its own vaccines and enhance preparedness for future health challenges.
According to Reuters, Biovac, which supplies vaccines for South Africa’s national childhood immunization program, was initially established to distribute imported vaccines in partnership with the National Department of Health. It later expanded into the final manufacturing stages — known as fill and finish — where the product is processed and placed into vials, through collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies.
Historically, Africa has depended on imported vaccines, leaving it vulnerable to supply disruptions and global market pressures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this dependence became clear, as African countries faced severe delays and shortages while wealthier nations secured most of the available doses through advance purchase agreements.
Biovac supplies vaccines for diseases such as tuberculosis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, Haemophilus influenzae, and hepatitis B in South Africa. During the pandemic, the company signed an agreement with Pfizer and BioNTech to produce vaccines for the African Union (AU).
The new laboratory will enable Biovac to produce vaccines from the early stages of development to the final formulation, using advanced technologies including mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid), the company said in a statement. The facility will allow for the simultaneous development of multiple products, fostering innovation and the creation of intellectual property for vaccines targeting diseases prevalent in Africa.
“This is a significant milestone for Biovac and for vaccine innovation in Africa,” said CEO Morena Makhoana, adding that the laboratory will ensure “Africa does not fall behind in responding to current and future vaccine-preventable diseases.”
The AU has set a target for 60% of vaccines used in Africa to be produced locally by 2040, compared to about 1% currently. The new laboratory is expected to contribute significantly to achieving that goal.
“For millions of people across the continent, this laboratory brings the promise of faster and more reliable access to vital vaccines developed and produced in Africa, for Africa,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation.
The new facility includes infrastructure for the development and manufacture of mRNA drug substances, as well as specialized areas for nanoparticle formulation, bacterial and cell cultures, cell bank storage, and handling of sensitive medical materials, according to Biovac.
