Biontech in Africa: Focusing Beyond Speed for Sustainable Vaccine Production
When it comes to setting up its first vaccine production facility in Africa, pharmaceutical giant Biontech is prioritizing more than just speed. According to CEO Ugur Sahin, who spoke to the German Press Agency in Kigali, the company is eager to train local personnel in African countries. In addition, AI expertise and digitalization are crucial elements of their strategy in Africa.
During a visit to Kigali, Sahin presented the main component of Biontech's first mRNA vaccine production facility on the continent, which is still under construction. This state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2025 and will produce vaccines for the African market.
Sierk Poetting, Managing Director of Operations at Biontech, revealed that the initial stages will involve test production runs in Kigali in 2025. Biontech plans to invest around $138 million Euros (150 million USD) in setting up the facility and expects to have 100 employees in Kigali by 2025.
Biontech's approach to establishing production facilities in Africa involves developing a new modular system, which Poetting described as "biontainers" - a blend of the words "biontech" and "container." This modular system is reminiscent of the automotive industry's standardized plants.
Currently, Biontech is involved in clinical trials for potential vaccine candidates against malaria, Mpox, and tuberculosis. Sahin revealed that while vaccines against tuberculosis and malaria might take a few more years, the development of the Mpox vaccine could progress faster based on specific conditions.
Furthermore, Sahin underlined the importance of training the production of Covid-19 vaccines in Kigali given that SARS-CoV-2 is a constantly evolving pathogen. He suggested that regional production sites could help address vaccine shortages in other parts of the world.
In the realm of therapeutic cancer vaccines, Biontech is also exploring possibilities for future production in Africa using different equipment, according to Sahin. He expressed optimism for the emergence of the first approved therapeutic cancer vaccines by 2030.
Training local personnel and leveraging AI and digitalization are instrumental parts of Biontech's strategy in Africa. Despite limited information on the specifics of their digital training programs, the company's commitment to creating an end-to-end ecosystem and embracing tech transfer suggests that digital tools and AI will play a role in their efforts to build sustainable vaccine manufacturing capacities in Africa.
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BioNTech's initiative to establish a vaccine production facility in Africa extends beyond simple speed and cost considerations. The company is pursuing an ambitious and comprehensive approach that emphasizes several key elements:
- End-to-End Ecosystem: BioNTech aims to create an end-to-end ecosystem in Africa, encompassing research and development, regulatory support, manufacturing, and distribution. This holistic approach is intended to enhance Africa's role in global pandemic preparedness.
- Technology Transfer and Public-Private Partnerships: BioNTech, in collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is actively involved in technology transfer and coordinating public-private-philanthropic partnerships. This includes expertise in tech transfer and regulatory and R&D ecosystems in Africa.
- mRNA Vaccine Production Expansion: BioNTech is building an mRNA vaccine production facility in Rwanda with CEPI's support. The objective is to scale up mRNA vaccine production, from the pre-clinical phase to commercial stages, increasing African countries' capacity for vaccine production.
- Sustainable and Resilient Manufacturing Systems: BioNTech is focusing on establishing flexible and scalable manufacturing systems in Africa that can meet both routine health needs and rapidly scale up production during crises. This approach incorporates digitalization, AI, and other advanced technologies to optimize the efficiency of vaccine production.
By embracing a comprehensive and sustainable approach to vaccine production in Africa, BioNTech is effectively positioning itself to contribute to the long-term health and security of the continent, while simultaneously strengthening global pandemic preparedness.
