President Muhammadu Buhari welcomed exploratory discussions between Nigerian biomedical scientists, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, and the BioNTech company on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria, to boost the manufacture of messenger RNA vaccines in Nigeria.
In Africa, the President met with Mr. Holm Keller, the Executive Chairman of the KENUP Foundation and a representative of the CEO of BioNTech, the patent holder for the mRNA vaccine.
The President expressed hope that the exchanges between the parties will result in cooperation at several levels, including clinical trials, the research and development of novel vaccines, and the ultimate backing of domestic vaccine production facilities.
‘‘We are impressed with the numerous possibilities said to be around the mRNA technology and hence seek cooperation with well-intentioned organizations, including yours, to build a strong bilateral partnership with your company and your affiliate bodies, as science gets closer to understanding the possibilities around successful mRNA technology.
‘‘We believe the mRNA technology will help solve other public health challenges too, especially those peculiar to our tropical environment.
‘‘As you conduct exploratory interactions with our scientists in the biomedical field and officials of the Ministry of Health, I look forward to receiving a commitment to expand collaboration to achieve our goal of developing capacities for Research & Development and manufacturing.’’
Recalling the vast disparities in access to COVID-19 vaccines at the height of the pandemic, President Buhari stated that Nigeria and a number of middle-income countries now recognise the need for global decentralisation and diversification of the manufacturing capacity of items vital to the security of public health.
The President also highlighted the many investment prospects and potentials in the country, inviting the Foundation and other potential investors to give “special attention” to the most populous nation in Africa.
‘‘KENUP Foundation will find in Nigeria, a suitable research & development ecosystem, in terms of human resource expertise and endemic, deadly disease challenges that require research to help to end with new vaccines.
‘‘Our reputable scientific community has the capacity to engage with you meaningfully in all caliber of research and to add value to your joint effort.
‘‘Nigeria has a long tradition in vaccine manufacturing and laboratories for microbiological research, both in private and public facilities, and also for human and veterinary vaccine research, established over 80 years ago. You will find in Nigeria, biosafety Level 3 laboratories and ongoing initiatives with trusted partners to develop Level 4 capacity too.
‘‘We have a vibrant Health Ethics Research Council and our WHO Maturity Level 3 certified Regulatory body, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control regulates vaccines, and have started the process to attain Maturity Level Four, that makes pharmaceutical products made in Nigeria, including vaccines, marketable abroad.
‘‘We invest significantly in health, education, in Research and Development and encourage discovery and partnership in joint ventures, such as with a private pharmaceutical company to begin routine vaccines manufacturing in-country.’’
President Buhari identified Nigeria as the entryway to West African industry and trade and the ideal destination for ECOWAS residents seeking markets. He noted that Biovaccines Nigeria Limited, a Public Private Partnership firm, and other private enterprises are in varied phases of obtaining capacity for local vaccine manufacture.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said that President Buhari has a “passion for public health security, which is why you are welcoming this delegation.” He noted that the purpose of their visit was to examine the possibility of collaborating in the production of new vaccines.
Mr. Holm Keller described his company as a foundation for the advancement of public health innovation.
He said he was thrilled to learn of the great work President Buhari and his administration has done for Nigeria, “and the aim of our mission is to establish research partnerships, which would benefit Nigeria and Africa.
“We want to contribute to vaccine equity through manufacturing scheme suitable to the country. We are working on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, monkeypox, and other vaccines, to be manufactured in Africa.”
Keller noted that there was also a plan to discover Africans customised cancer treatments, which are only accessible to the wealthiest of the wealthy in certain areas of the globe.
“We want to change that, and are working on therapeutic vaccines that can stop the growth of tumors. We want it to be available globally, and not just in wealthy countries. We want to explore opportunities in this domain, and support your good work.”