Biovac opens new vaccine lab in Cape Town to boost Africa's manufacturing capacity

By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South African biopharmaceutical firm Biovac on Thursday opened a state-of-the-art product development laboratory in Cape Town, backed by the Gates Foundation, to help the continent develop its own vaccines and improve preparedness for future health challenges.

Biovac, which supplies vaccines for South Africa’s childhood immunisation programme, was initially established to distribute imported vaccines in partnership with the National Department of Health. It later expanded to the final stages of manufacturing where the product – referred to as “fill and finish” vaccines – is processed and put into vials, through collaborations with global pharmaceutical firms.

Africa has historically relied on imported vaccines, leaving the continent vulnerable t