Supporting a plan by Egypt to strengthen local vaccine production, EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank has signed a €750 000 technical cooperation agreement which will help advance a new multi-product vaccine facility.
The Vaccine Production Capacity Increase Project is being carried out by Egypt’s national vaccine manufacturer Vacsera, one of the oldest vaccine producers in Africa. As well as expanding vaccine production capacity in Egypt, the project also supports the African Union’s ambition to raise the share of vaccines produced locally from the current level to around 1% to 60% by 2040.
The new financing will support a feasibility study and market analysis for the project which it is anticipated will require a total investment of some €50 million. The EIB added that the funding also aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy which aims to strengthen health systems, promote equitable access to health products and foster local manufacturing capacity in partner countries. It also supports wider efforts to improve prevention, preparedness, response and early detection of health threats globally.
Dr Sherif Elfeel, executive managing director at Vacsera said: “Expanding Vacsera’s production capacity reinforces Vacsera’s role as Egypt’s national vaccine manufacturer and supports our vision of becoming a regional hub for vaccine manufacturing and technology transfer, contributing to health security and sustainable access to vaccines across Africa.”
The development of the Vaccine Production Capacity Increase Project follows a plan set out by Egypt’s government, in 2022, to “deepen the localisation of biopharmaceutical industries, particularly within the vaccine sector.” As well as meeting its own vaccine needs, Egypt’s strategy extends its resources to neighbouring countries. Egypt’s government notes that Africa relies primarily on imported vaccines, with 90% of their needs coming from abroad. In addition, about 30-60% of the total vaccine production by global companies is consumed in Africa.
The EIB vice president Gelsomina Vigliotti said: “By helping prepare this strategic investment, we aim to back local production, widen access to essential health products and contribute to a more resilient health systems in Egypt, across the region and on the African continent.”
Further reading:
- Biovac end-to-end vaccine manufacturing facility gets financial backing
- Concerns raised about UK vaccine manufacture capability
- Vaccines urgently needed for these 17 pathogens, says the World Health Organization
Visit Blog