🐐 The collaboration plans to use transgenic goats to produce monoclonal antibodies in their milk, potentially reducing the cost of biotherapeutics.
👩⚕️ The aim is to improve access to affordable treatments for South Africans and other people in Africa.
💡 Success will depend on successful technology transfer and a scalable production plan.
🌍 While this partnership is a positive step, more partnerships will be needed to address drug shortages in South Africa and other African countries.
Introduction:
Drug shortages are a serious issue in many countries, including South Africa. To address this problem, Belgian biotech Bio-Sourcing and South African biotech Afrigen Biologics have partnered to produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using transgenic goats. This innovative approach aims to provide a local and cost-effective solution to the shortage of biotherapeutics in South Africa.
- South Africa faces severe drug shortages, including antimicrobials.
- Bio-Sourcing and Afrigen Biologics have partnered to produce mAbs using transgenic goats.
- The pilot program aims to demonstrate successful technology transfer and develop a commercial scale-up plan.
- The partnership could pave the way for more affordable and accessible therapies in South Africa and other African countries.
Conclusion:
The partnership between Bio-Sourcing and Afrigen Biologics offers a promising solution to South Africa’s drug shortages. By utilizing transgenic goats to produce mAbs, the pilot program aims to address the local demand for biotherapeutics and reduce their cost. If successful, this approach could have significant implications for improving access to innovative therapies in South Africa and other African nations.
