A US$40 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the production of new messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines in Africa presents opportunities to boost clinical trials and galvanise the continent’s healthcare landscape.
An mRNA vaccine uses a copy of a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA) to produce an immune response.
Africa has long grappled with concerns over clinical trials, particularly in the context of vaccine development.
The perception that Africans are exploited as subjects in drug testing has persisted, despite the fact that less than 3 percent of global clinical trials take place in Africa.
This underrepresentation is largely due to a lack of capacity, infrastructure and access for such trials. With rapidly growing population of almost 1.5 billion people, opportunities abound.
Clinical trials are essential for modern medicine, allowing scientists to rigorously assess the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.
The global clinical trials market is valued at over US$48.2 billion in 2023 and expected to grow to US$73.2 billion within the next five years. The vast majority of trials are conducted in Western countries.
The $40 million grant Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support mRNA will contribute to addressing these issues, with a primary focus on improving vaccine equity in Africa.
This commitment acknowledges the need for Africa to take an active role in vaccine development, production and distribution, thus ensuring timely access to life-saving vaccines.
Igniting innovation
The grant allocates US$5 million each to Institut Pasteur in Dakar and Biovac in South Africa, which will employ an mRNA research and manufacturing platform developed by Belgium-based Quantoom Biosciences.
An additional US$20 million will be provided to Quantoom “to further advance the technology and lower costs” and the remaining US$10 million is earmarked for companies yet to be named.
Unlike previous COVID-19 mRNA vaccines that received expedited emergency approval, future vaccines developed in Africa are likely to follow a more extended timeline of three to seven years.
This approach aims to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vaccines tailored to the healthcare needs of the African population.
By investing in an ecosystem for pharmaceutical research and vaccine production, the grant sets the stage to strengthen back and forward linkages for Africa to address future healthcare challenges with increased self-reliance.
Empowering production
Africa has long relied on foreign sources for vaccines, often experiencing delays and difficulties in accessing immunizations.
The grant signifies a shift toward local vaccine production and a reduction in dependence on external sources. This transition aligns with the African Union’s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, which seeks to promote domestic pharmaceutical production.
The grant also provides a bridge for collaborations between African institutions and global healthcare leaders.
These partnerships can facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer and capacity building.
Established institutions such as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Pasteur Institute and the University of California, San Francisco, have already developed productive collaborations with African counterparts.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s grant is poised to strengthen connections of this nature and create a network of healthcare experts working together to improve healthcare in Africa.
Change making
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s US$40 million grant is a substantial step forward for African healthcare. It underscores a commitment to vaccine equity, healthcare innovation and self-reliance.
The grant offers Africa an opportunity to strengthen vaccine development and production, fostering an ecosystem for healthcare innovations that meet local needs.
This transformative investment is more than just financial support – it is a beacon of hope for a healthier Africa.
By strengthening the continent’s healthcare infrastructure, promoting local vaccine production and facilitating global collaborations, the grant represents an important milestone in the journey toward better healthcare for all Africans.
Christopher Burke is the Managing Director of WMC Africa
