The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has welcomed the opening of a new product development laboratory at Biovac in Cape Town, set to expand South Africa’s capacity to develop vaccines from start to finish.
“Today marks a historic milestone for South Africa, as the opening of Biovac’s new Product Development Laboratory brings us closer to our vision of achieving full, end-to-end vaccine manufacturing capability on the African continent,” said Gina on Thursday.
Currently, vaccines in South Africa are completed and filled using active ingredients sourced from abroad.
With the new laboratory, the country will be able to develop vaccines from start to finish, enhancing Biovac’s world-class capabilities in vaccine product development.
The new facility will also enable the production of vaccines for Africa from the early stages of product development through drug substance and drug product manufacturing and will aid in responding to the continent’s high disease burden with locally driven solutions.
This evolution into vaccine product development reflects South Africa’s growing vaccine innovation and manufacturing capacity, strengthened by public-private collaboration.
The company currently develops, formulates, fills, finishes, and distributes vaccines used in South Africa’s childhood vaccine programme.
The Deputy Minister added that this high-tech facility, equipped with advanced mRNA technology and state-of-the-art research capacity, will empower scientists to tackle the most prevalent diseases in Africa, ensuring that homegrown innovation addresses the health needs of the citizens.
“The Government of South Africa, together with partners like the Gates Foundation and the Industrial Development Corporation, remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that build robust local pharmaceutical manufacturing and enhance our preparedness for future health emergencies,” the Deputy Minister said.
She believes that the laboratory was not just a monument to technological advancement, but a beacon of hope for all Africans, a demonstration of what is possible when vision, investment and scientific excellence come together.
“Let us celebrate this step forward, confident that today’s investment in science will yield tomorrow’s health and economic security for our country and continent.”
The new laboratory has been realised through the support of the Gates Foundation.
The department stated that it will assist Biovac, South Africa, and the African continent, to be able to develop its own vaccines across multiple platforms and be better able to respond to future pandemics or outbreaks using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment.
The laboratory includes infrastructure for mRNA drug substance development, screening, evaluation, and manufacturing.
It houses a specialised suite to formulate nanoparticles that safely encapsulate and protect mRNA, along with dedicated areas for bacterial and cell culture, cell bank storage and handling of sensitive medical materials.
The African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) committed in 2022 to ensuring that 60% of vaccines used on the continent are manufactured in Africa by 2040.
Currently, only about 1% are produced locally; a gap this facility seeks to help close.
Biovac CEO, Dr Morena Makhoana, said: “The establishment of our new product development laboratory gives us the capability to develop and test next-generation vaccines using the most advanced technology available, ensuring that Africa is not left behind in responding to current and future vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Gates Foundation CEO, Mark Suzman, stated that Biovac’s new product development laboratory represents a leap forward for vaccine innovation and manufacturing in Africa.
“For millions of people across the continent, it brings the promise of faster, more reliable access to lifesaving vaccines, developed and produced in Africa, for Africa.” – SAnews.gov.za
