In order to discuss cooperation with the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, visited SK Bioscience’s headquarters on November 3. SK Bioscience is a cutting-edge vaccine and biotech company dedicated to promoting human health from prevention to cure.
In February 2023, Dr. Kaseya was named Director General of the Africa CDC. He is currently touring partners in an effort to develop alliances and intensify cooperation on public health issues pertaining to Africa, with an emphasis on regional manufacturing.
The African Union (AU) founded the PAVM in 2021 with the lofty objective of achieving it. By 2040, it aims to empower the continent’s vaccine manufacturing sector to generate and supply more than 60% of the vaccine doses needed on the African continent. Comparing this to the current level, which is less than 1 percent, shows a considerable increase. Additionally, there are interim targets of 10 percent by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
In order to combat multiple diseases, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, HIV, malaria, Ebola, and unknown infectious diseases (Disease X), the Africa CDC intends to acquire a vaccine portfolio. This will be accomplished by establishing cold chain logistics, local plants, and vaccine research and development (R&D) and manufacturing infrastructures, as well as by forming strategic alliances with multinational corporations.
To fortify the vaccine infrastructure, SK Bioscience and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), a state pharmaceutical enterprise in Thailand, inked an agreement in July. They established a strategic partnership in vaccine development and manufacturing with the Republic of Serbia by signing an MOU in September.
“I had the opportunity to learn about SK bioscience’s Glocalization Project at the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative, hosted in Geneva last May,” stated Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC. We are able to tour the R&D facility and learn more about the Glocalization Project thanks to today’s visit, which is very important. The New Public Health Order for Africa mandates increasing the production of medicines, diagnostics and vaccines. To assist us in achieving the lofty objectives of the PAVM, we are actively looking for partnerships, especially in the field of research and development.”
Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience stated, “The Glocalization Project is an innovative business model that goes beyond merely establishing local plants. It addresses the inequality of vaccine supply and enables a rapid response to new pandemics. Through collaboration with governments, institutions, and companies, we aim to lead efforts in preventing future pandemics.”
