WHO, MPP associate with Nigerian agency for native manufacturing of speedy diagnostic assessments in Africa
The World Well being Group (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have signed a sublicensing Contract with Nigerian well being expertise firm, Codix Bio, to start the event and native manufacturing of speedy diagnostic assessments (RDTs) in Africa.
In an announcement launched on Friday, WHO stated the Contract goals to advance equitable entry to important diagnostic instruments by native production, thereby increasing manufacturing capability throughout the African area.
The deal entails expertise switch from a worldwide in-vitro diagnostics firm, SD Biosensor (SDB), to Codix Bio.
The RDT expertise, developed by SDB, is especially appropriate for low- and middle-income international locations (LMICs) as a result of it requires no further gear, is simple to make use of in routine well being settings, and delivers outcomes inside 20 minutes.
Codix Bio will initially give attention to producing RDTs for HIV, however the expertise may also be used for manufacturing assessments for malaria and syphilis, amongst others.
It may also be rapidly tailored to different ailments, which can show worthwhile throughout well being emergencies and pandemics, contributing to enhancements in well being safety and fairness.
Strengthening native manufacturing capability
Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-Basic, Entry to Medicines and Well being Merchandise, stated Sublicensing SDB’s RDT expertise marks a serious milestone in strengthening manufacturing capabilities in areas the place they’re wanted most.
“It could possibly assist advance international commitments made on the 2023 World Well being Meeting to advertise equitable entry to diagnostics as a cornerstone of common well being protection and pandemic preparedness,” Dr. Nakatani stated.
In an identical vein, Charles Gore, Govt Director of the Medicines Patent Pool, stated, “We’re delighted to have signed this primary sublicense Contract for RDTs with Codix Bio.
“In the present day marks a serious step ahead in diversifying diagnostic production and making certain entry to the place it’s wanted most.
“It exhibits how voluntary licensing and coordinated expertise switch can empower producers in LMICs, in the end serving to reshape international provide chains to grow to be extra equitable and resilient,” he stated.
A part of a worldwide initiative for well being fairness
In accordance with the assertion, this Contract is the primary to come back out of a non-exclusive, clear license between SDB and MPP, which was agreed in December 2023 beneath the auspices of the WHO COVID-19 Expertise Entry Pool (C-TAP) initiative.
Since then, C-TAP has advanced as HTAP – the Well being Expertise Entry Programme, with the aim of lowering the entry hole in underserved areas and international locations by empowering succesful native producers of well being merchandise (assessments, vaccines, therapies, and medical gadgets) by sublicensing, expertise, and know-how switch.
Hyo-Keun Lee, Vice Chairman of SD Biosensor, Inc., stated, The announcement of this sublicensing Contract with Codix Bio marks an essential milestone in our partnership with WHO and MPP.
“By coupling the expertise switch with coordinated assist, this initiative not solely helps Codix Bio reply to well being priorities in Nigeria and the area but in addition demonstrates a collaborative mannequin for constructing sustainable and self-reliant native manufacturing capability.”
Lee additional emphasised, “We’re proud that our extremely adaptable and dependable speedy diagnostic testing expertise will contribute to strengthening regional manufacturing ecosystems and increasing equitable entry to diagnostics.”
Codix Bio takes the lead in Africa
After the WHO and MPP open name was introduced for purposes for LMIC-based producers, Codix Bio was chosen as the primary sublicensee.
Sammy Ogunjimi, Group Managing Director/CEO of Codix Group, stated, “This landmark Contract is a defining second in our journey of health-tech innovation and a breakthrough for native healthcare manufacturing in Africa.
“Being chosen as the primary sublicensee beneath this international initiative underscores our dedication to contribute meaningfully to pandemic preparedness and regional well being safety.
“With assist from WHO and MPP, we’re dedicated to producing high-quality, speedy diagnostic assessments that may rework entry to well timed prognosis, not simply in Nigeria, however throughout the continent,” Ogunjimi emphasised.
Extra insights
HTAP – the Well being Expertise Entry Programme will coordinate assist from throughout WHO and its companions, masking areas equivalent to workforce growth, regulatory compliance and product uptake.
It is usually persevering with with evaluations for a possible second sublicensee for this expertise switch.
