In a significant move for continental health security, Cape Town-based research group Biovac has announced a major technology transfer agreement with Indian pharmaceutical firm Biological E. The Biovac initiative will enable the company to produce and distribute a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV14) across Africa. This marks a vital step towards self-sufficiency in vaccine manufacturing.
The partnership will accelerate the growth of a commercially viable vaccine industry on the continent. It will help reduce Africa's heavy reliance on imports and funding. Currently, Africa produces 1% of the vaccines it consumes. A figure the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) aims to increase to 60% by 2040.
A Milestone for African Vaccine Sovereignty
The agreement is a direct response to calls for greater medical autonomy. The COVID-19 pandemic brought this issue into sharp focus. At that time, African nations were often at the back of the queue for life-saving vaccines. With recent freezes in US foreign aid and reductions in European assistance, the need for local production capacity with Biovac has become more urgent than ever.
The team anticipates that the technology transfer process, which involves navigating complex regulatory approvals, will take approximately three years. Following this period, Biovac plans to begin supplying the vaccine to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This global public-private health partnership provides immunisations to nearly half of the world's children.
India has already licensed the vaccine, PCV14, and it is currently undergoing the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification process. Gavi has reportedly designated this vaccine from Biovac as its preferred choice for sourcing and use within Africa.
Targeting a Leading Cause of Childhood Illness
The vaccine provides protection against pneumococcal infections, the primary cause of severe diseases. These include pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, and sepsis. These illnesses pose a significant threat to children; in 2005, pneumococcal disease was responsible for an estimated 1.6 million child deaths worldwide.
Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Biological E, emphasised the life-saving impact of the partnership. He stated that the collaboration with Biovac would significantly contribute to improving global public health. It will also build the capacity of an African manufacturer and, most importantly, impact children’s lives by reducing the incidence of pneumococcal diseases in Africa.
Global Support and the Bigger Picture
Global health bodies have warmly welcomed the agreement. Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar praised the deal as "a solid step forward towards sustainable vaccine manufacturing on the continent of Africa".
At the G20 summit in November, South Africa will host discussions where contributors, such as Biovac, will highlight the topic of vaccine independence. Advocates are pushing to fast-track plans to bolster Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. They aim to utilise frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and pooled procurement mechanisms to build a more resilient public health ecosystem for the future.