Egypt is set to become the first Arab and African country to produce mRNA vaccines, after Eva Pharma signed an MoU with France’s DNA Script and Belgian Quantoom Biosciences to secure the transfer of critical technology necessary to manufacture the vaccine, according to a statement from Eva Pharma and another (pdf) seen by EnterpriseAM.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

What we know: The agreement will enable Eva Pharma to integrate the latest vaccine production technology into the drug manufacturing process, allowing it to produce up to 100 mn doses per year of mRNA vaccines at a faster pace and lower cost. The project is expected to come online in 2026, with the production to cover local demand first with any excess production earmarked for export.

mRNA vaccines? When applied to vaccines, mRNA are molecules that carry critical information for the production of harmless virus-like proteins — helping prepare our immune systems to produce antibodies that can fight off the real virus if they ever come into contact with it. The technology was widely developed and tested during the covid pandemic.

The new tech could have significant implications for our vaccine industry: Eva Pharma CEO Riad Armanious referred to the event as a “revolution” for Egypt’s vaccine industry, noting that once the technology transfer is complete, Egypt will be able to produce vaccines for any virus — existing or future — without the need for costly sub-zero storage.

It’s been a busy couple of months for Eva: The company became the first player to locally produce insulin glargine in December, with a new production line expected to move Egypt from importing 6 mn doses annually to exporting 74 mn doses.

All part of our vaccine localization plans: The government has said that it is planning tolocalize 50% of all vaccine production by 2030, with further efforts to push the figure to 75% by 2035 and reach self-sufficiency by 2040. In the long-term, the sector aims to boost exports to African markets and secure long-term supply agreements, supported by tax exemptions and other incentives.

Tags: