Pharmaceuticals: SA aims high
5 October 2009, 15:19
By Warda Meyer
Staff Reporter
African scientists and researchers have been meeting in Cape Town to discuss plans for the first African-owned and -managed innovation fund to finance drugs and diagnostics research.
The second meeting of key stakeholders supporting the African Network for Drug and Diagnostics Innovation is being hosted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa in Parow Valley.
The network concept was launched in Abuja, Nigeria, a year ago.
Its main goal is promoting and sustaining African-led product research and development innovation though the discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools, including those based on traditional medicines.
A task force was established to develop the strategic and business plan for the network by consulting with those who might come on board.
The strategic and business plan to be presented at the Cape Town meeting calls for a R4.4 billion endowment fund in Africa that would generate a sustainable income of up to $30 million (about R230m) a year to support African drug and diagnostic innovation.
Discussions are already under way with the African Development Bank to host the fund.
Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor welcomed delegates at the meeting last night.
She told them that the network would be a key contributor to medical progress, which would turn fundamental research findings into innovative treatments that were available and accessible to patients in Africa who needed these medicines.
Over the next decade South Africa intended to become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Pandor said.
"As a government we have committed ourselves to the establishment of the necessary initiatives and infrastructure that will assist in the drug-development value chain.
"This includes medicinal chemistry, preclinical testing facilities and capabilities, and the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients," she said.
The launch of the network was an important milestone not only for African scientists and researchers, but also for local communities, because they would reap the benefits of having access to locally developed health products.
Pandor urged delegates to find African solutions for an African reality.
Dr Stella Anyangwe, of the World Health Organisation, said the beauty of the network was that research would be done by Africa for Africa.
Dr Tom Hurley, of the African Development Bank, pledged support for the network, saying it was consistent with the bank's priorities.
Staff Reporter
African scientists and researchers have been meeting in Cape Town to discuss plans for the first African-owned and -managed innovation fund to finance drugs and diagnostics research.
The second meeting of key stakeholders supporting the African Network for Drug and Diagnostics Innovation is being hosted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa in Parow Valley.
The network concept was launched in Abuja, Nigeria, a year ago.
Its main goal is promoting and sustaining African-led product research and development innovation though the discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools, including those based on traditional medicines.
A task force was established to develop the strategic and business plan for the network by consulting with those who might come on board.
The strategic and business plan to be presented at the Cape Town meeting calls for a R4.4 billion endowment fund in Africa that would generate a sustainable income of up to $30 million (about R230m) a year to support African drug and diagnostic innovation.
Discussions are already under way with the African Development Bank to host the fund.
Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor welcomed delegates at the meeting last night.
She told them that the network would be a key contributor to medical progress, which would turn fundamental research findings into innovative treatments that were available and accessible to patients in Africa who needed these medicines.
Over the next decade South Africa intended to become a world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, Pandor said.
"As a government we have committed ourselves to the establishment of the necessary initiatives and infrastructure that will assist in the drug-development value chain.
"This includes medicinal chemistry, preclinical testing facilities and capabilities, and the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients," she said.
The launch of the network was an important milestone not only for African scientists and researchers, but also for local communities, because they would reap the benefits of having access to locally developed health products.
Pandor urged delegates to find African solutions for an African reality.
Dr Stella Anyangwe, of the World Health Organisation, said the beauty of the network was that research would be done by Africa for Africa.
Dr Tom Hurley, of the African Development Bank, pledged support for the network, saying it was consistent with the bank's priorities.
- This article was originally published on page 8 of The Cape Argus on October 05, 2009
Cape Town
