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2h ago

Biovac Opens Cape Town Lab to Expand Africa’s Vaccine Development and mRNA Capacity

The move aligns with the African Union's 2040 goal for majority local vaccine production.

Biovac currently develops, formulates, fills, finishes and distributes vaccines used in South Africa’s childhood vaccine programme. (Photo: Tamsin Metelerkamp)
The logo of South African vaccine manufacturing and storage company Biovac is seen outside the company's offices in Cape Town, South Africa, March 18, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings

Overview

  • Biovac inaugurated a state-of-the-art product development laboratory in Cape Town with support from the Gates Foundation to strengthen Africa’s vaccine self-reliance.
  • The facility enables end-to-end work from early product development to manufacturing and final formulation using platforms that include mRNA.
  • New infrastructure covers mRNA drug substance activities, nanoparticle formulation, bacterial and cell culture suites, and cell bank storage to support multiple products.
  • Gates Foundation backing totals about $15 million in grants, including $7 million for an oral cholera vaccine technology transfer and $7 million to prepare for mRNA vaccine development.
  • Biovac, a supplier to South Africa’s childhood immunisation programme, has grown from distribution to fill-and-finish manufacturing and previously partnered with Pfizer and BioNTech after COVID-19 supply shortages highlighted the need for local production.