MPs Urge Dei Biopharma to Accelerate Production of Life-Saving Medicines
KAMPALA, September 29, 2024 – Members of Parliament on the Health Committee have urged Dei Biopharma Vaccines Manufacturing Plant to speed up the production of life-saving medicines and vaccines to combat tropical diseases affecting Ugandans.
After touring the facility, the MPs raised concerns about diseases like red eyes and malaria, which continue to claim lives. They called on Dei BioPharma to intensify research and innovation to combat these health threats.
The MPs were guided by Board Chairman Dr. Patrick Wakida and Pharmacist Dr. Arthur Kayanja, who showcased Dei Biopharma’s commitment to under-invested areas, including:
- Vaccine manufacturing
- Oncology products for cancer treatment
- Nutraceuticals
- Injectable medicines
Dr. Samuel Opio, Deputy Chairperson of the Health Committee, highlighted the facility’s potential to increase access to affordable medicines, addressing Uganda and East Africa’s substantial healthcare burden.
“These areas have significant potential for increasing access to affordable medicines, addressing a substantial burden in Uganda, East Africa, and the region,” he said.
He also noted that 70% of Uganda’s medicines are imported, while only 20-30% are locally manufactured.
Dr. Opio urged Dei Biopharma to share more information with the public to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly given government investment.
“Our goal is to promote local production, reduce reliance on imports, and increase access to essential medicines,” he added.
Dei Biopharma’s Response to Production Delays
Dr. Kayanja acknowledged concerns over delays but emphasized the complex nature of drug manufacturing.
“We’re not making pastries; we’re making medicine,” he explained, stressing the rigorous processes required to ensure safety and effectiveness.
He reassured MPs that Dei BioPharma is committed to producing high-quality pharmaceuticals, despite the time-consuming approval process.
“We can’t guarantee an immediate market release, but patient safety is our top priority,” he said.
Dr. Kayanja also revealed that Dei BioPharma is developing anti-malarial drugs, with full-scale production expected next year.
Status of Dei Biopharma Manufacturing Plant
The 150-acre campus houses a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical and biotech facility, dedicated to producing:
- Essential drugs for Uganda and beyond
- All types of vaccines, including mRNA vaccines
- Biological solutions such as Filgrastim, Erythropoietin, and Trastuzumab
Current Progress:
- Biotech Facility – Africa’s first biotech facility under a US patent, producing:
- Latest cancer drugs
- Biosimilars
- Peptides
- Cell therapy
- Biologics, cytokines, and therapeutic proteins
- Gene therapy and vaccines (mRNA, subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines)
- Fully compliant with FDA, EU-EMA, and WHO standards
- Production set to begin next year
- Injectables Facility – Complete and ready for production.
- Warehousing Facility – Largest in East Africa, equipped with state-of-the-art cold chain technology, capable of storing 60,000 pallets of mRNA vaccines and pharmaceuticals (Complete).
- YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories – Specializing in:
- Cancer research
- Drug discovery
- mRNA therapeutics
- Gene and cell therapy
- Biologics and biosimilars (Complete)
- Generics Section – Capable of manufacturing 150+ different medicines (Complete; antibiotic production starts next month).
- Nutraceuticals Section – Producing tablets, capsules, sachets, ointments, and syrups (Under construction).
- Penicillin, Cephalosporin & Non-Beta Lactam Facility – FDA/WHO/EU-EMA compliant; expected to be completed next year.
- Oncology/Cancer Drug Manufacturing Facility – Designed under EOL5 FDA standards, currently under construction.
Upcoming Virus Vaccine Production Facility
Expected completion: Next year
This facility will produce critical vaccines, including:
- Tetanus Toxoid (TT) Vaccine – Prevents tetanus
- Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine – Prevents both tetanus and diphtheria
- Hepatitis B (Hep B) Vaccine – Known as the first “anti-cancer” vaccine for preventing liver cancer
- DTP-Hep B-Hib Vaccine – Protects infants against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Influenza Vaccines (TIV/QIV) – Trivalent (TIV) and quadrivalent (QIV) formulations
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV 10) – Prevents pneumonia in children
- Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) – Overcomes challenges of older typhoid vaccines
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- HPV Bivalent Vaccine – Protects against HPV types 16 and 18, the leading cause of HPV-related cancers
Dei BioPharma’s Commitment to Africa’s Health
With the completion of the manufacturing plant, Dei BioPharma will play a key role in addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges, by:
- Reducing dependence on imported medicines
- Producing life-saving drugs and vaccines at affordable prices
- Boosting Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry and research capabilities
The plant is expected to employ up to 40,000 Ugandans, significantly contributing to Uganda’s economic growth and self-sufficiency.
