KIGALI, Rwanda
BioNTech on Monday inaugurated its first mRNA vaccine production facility in Africa, in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, which may contribute to vaccine equity on the continent.
The production plant, whose structure began in 2022, will be based on BioNTainers, exact replicas of BioNTech’s plant in Germany.
In 2021, the German biotech leader signed agreements with Rwanda and Senegal’s Pasteur Institute in Dakar to establish production sites on the continent.
“We are committed to building a sustainable mRNA vaccine ecosystem in Africa, focusing on the progression of mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases with medical best wishes and forging state-of-the-art responses for local manufacturing,” said Ugur Sahin, CEO and co-founder. by BioNTech.
Starting next year, the plant will first be able to manufacture up to 50 million doses per year of a product with an RNA process similar to that of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
BioNTech said it is in the process of developing prophylactic mRNA vaccines against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and HIV and is also focusing on diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, mpox added.
It indicated that a clinical Phase 1 trial for the company’s tuberculosis vaccine program BNT164 is already in clinical evaluation in four trial centers in South Africa while its malaria vaccine candidates are currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in the US.
Africa imports 70% of its medicines and produces 1% of its vaccines, according to data from the African Development Bank.
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame described the launch as a milestone for the continent in its bid to achieve vaccine equity.
He also recalled that the consensus was that mRNA vaccines may not even be administered in Africa in the first place, saying it was too confusing for African fitness systems.
“When we embarked on this adventure of manufacturing those vaccines on our continent, we were told it would take at least 30 years. All of this is false. It’s possible. And as it is possible, it is also necessary,” he said.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairperson of the African Union Commission, said the inauguration of the facility is part of the continent’s long-term health calendar and its commitment to increasing access to vaccines and other medicines for all Africans.
“This facility will contribute to our collective vision of a self-reliant Africa. Creating a high-quality regulatory environment and ensuring vaccine independence is key to our long-term ability to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from pandemics,” he said.
“Working together to advance vaccine equity in Africa remains a priority. “
BioNTech has budgeted approximately $150 million for the entire Rwanda site structure and production units.
Senegalese President Macky Sall called the rite “historic for the continent and one of Africa’s most productive responses to supply and the future” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.