As the United States reduces funding for South African health research and cuts support for local health workers and global vaccine purchaser Gavi, the need for self-reliance in health has become more urgent than ever. It is increasingly clear that South Africa must prioritize domestic health spending, develop self-sufficiency in medical treatment, and focus on local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
South Africa has a well-established medical infrastructure and has the potential to become a biotech hub in Africa. With a growing population and young demographics across the continent, there is a guaranteed market for medical products, making it a sound investment for local biotech firms. South Africa has the capability to produce vaccines and medication for the entire continent, providing both self-sufficiency and the opportunity to develop medical skills and technology.
Vaccine production
One example of South Africa’s potential as a biotech hub is its self-sufficiency in some childhood vaccine production, a fact that is not widely known. Biovac, based in Cape Town, distributes vaccines annually for South Africa’s childhood vaccine program and manufactures its own vaccines, including some of the most commonly used childhood vaccines. By 2028, Biovac will introduce three new vaccines against polio, cholera, and meningococcal meningitis, which will be available for sale to countries across the continent.
Biovac’s mission is to maintain scientific expertise and vaccine development within the country, ultimately serving the broader Southern African Development Community and the African market. Founded over two decades ago, Biovac’s transition from solely distributing imported vaccines to producing vaccines locally, in partnership with multinational drug firms, demonstrates South Africa’s growing vaccine manufacturing capabilities and the potential of public-private partnerships.
One of Biovac’s key projects is the development of an oral cholera vaccine from scratch, expected to be ready for the market by 2028. This initiative showcases Biovac’s world-class research and development capabilities and addresses the current global gap where only one cholera vaccine manufacturer exists.
National potential
Biovac is just one example of South Africa’s potential as a biotech hub for vaccine production and the development of therapeutic medicines to address Africa’s unique health challenges. Other local vaccine manufacturers are leading in mRNA vaccine research, attracting global partnerships and collaborative research efforts.
South Africa’s universities, with their significant research capabilities in vaccine development for HIV, TB, and other diseases, provide a strong foundation for establishing a biotech hub to tackle continental health issues. The recent €4.7 billion pledge from the European Union to support South Africa’s clean energy and greener mining projects, specifically local vaccine production, highlights global recognition of South Africa’s strategic position in the biopharma landscape. Funding and expertise are available; what is required is the political will to retain vaccine manufacturing expertise within the country.
Political will
The investment case for implementing policies that enable South Africa to become a biotech hub is evident. Africa has the capacity to sustain local production of medicines and vaccines by investing in and committing to local procurement of vaccines across the continent, creating a sustainable market for vaccine producers.
Gavi, facing funding cuts as the U.S. withdraws support, presents an opportunity for Africa to establish its pooled procurement system, allowing countries to purchase vaccines in bulk from pharmaceutical companies. This would secure a guaranteed market for local pharmaceutical and biotech companies, reducing costs through large-scale purchases.
In addition, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has established an African Epidemic Fund, providing flexible funding to support countries in responding promptly to outbreaks. Such financial innovations demonstrate that the continent can procure products locally and efficiently in case of emergency disease outbreaks.
The African Union has set an ambitious target to procure 60% of its vaccines locally by 2040, significantly increasing the market for vaccine manufacturers. The key now is the political will across the continent to support local production. Biovac’s projections indicate that by 2028, vaccine sales to the continent will become a strategic market for South African manufacturers, highlighting the sustainability of local vaccine manufacturing.
South Africa’s potential as a biotech hub is not only a national matter but also of regional importance. The establishment of the mRNA Hub in South Africa by the World Health Organization exemplifies this. The future health and economic stability of the continent could hinge on its ability to manufacture and distribute vaccines locally.
Africa no longer needs to rely on external support for its health needs; it has the infrastructure, talent, and capacity to lead its medical revolution. The question remains: will the political will align with this potential?
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Biovac is a bio-pharmaceutical company based in Cape Town that resulted from a partnership with the South African government in 2003 to establish local vaccine manufacturing capability for national health management and security.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, who is not affiliated with Health-e News.
Health-e News is a trusted source of health news in South Africa, providing valuable information and insights on various health-related issues. As a platform committed to presenting diverse perspectives, Health-e News aims to enrich public discourse and promote a better understanding of health matters.
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One of the key areas of interest for Health-e News is the potential for South Africa to develop its own vaccines. The country boasts significant scientific expertise, but the crucial factor that is needed is political will. By harnessing local talent and resources, South Africa has the capability to produce vaccines that are tailored to the specific needs of its population.
Through its reporting and analysis, Health-e News plays a vital role in advocating for improved healthcare policies and practices. By highlighting issues such as vaccine development, access to healthcare, and the impact of social determinants on health outcomes, the platform contributes to a more informed and empowered public.
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