Kenya BioVax Institute hires pharmaceuticals leader Dr Michael Lusiola as new CEO

KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Health has named Pharmaceuticals business leader Dr. Michael Lusiola as the new Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned company Kenya BioVax Institute (KBI), with immediate effect.

Kenya BioVax Institute was inaugurated for vaccine production in December 2021 to address the vulnerability of the country to future health emergencies as was evident during the Coronavirus pandemic that left the country grossly exposed from shortage of vaccines.

The local production of human vaccines supports public healthcare programmes, national and regional economic growth, health security and enhances the capacity to control disease outbreaks that may arise in the future.

Dr. Michael Lusiola as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya BioVax Institute will lead vaccine development at the manufacturing facility which is a momentous step towards self-sustenance in supply and availability of medical commodities in the country.

Dr. Lusiola takes over from acting CEO Dr. Rabera Kenyanya who served the state-owned institution since December 2021 by overseeing the local manufacturing of highly specialized healthcare products to cushion Kenyans from supply hitches amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Lusiola brings in-depth industry expertise and knowledge as a highly experienced senior healthcare executive and pharmaceuticals business leader with demonstrable leadership experience in medicine, pharmaceutical production, manufacturing as well as marketing and innovation.

Moreover, he previously served as a pharmaceutical research and development business executive with over 20 years’ experience in a multinational setting having most recently worked as the Vice President in global clinical development at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in the United Kingdom and United States.

His strong business skills and science communication abilities along a wealth of extraordinary medical-scientific knowledge and expertise as a dynamic and respected leader is expected to lead BioVax to greater heights

Dr. Lusiola attained his graduate and post graduate academic qualifications from Harvard University, post-graduate business management and administration qualifications from Reading University, post graduate evidence-based medicine qualifications from Liverpool and Aston besides being a pharmacy graduate from Nairobi, Kenya.

Dr. Lusiola’s appointment comes at a time when the BioVax Institute is undergoing inception with the primary mandate to manufacture and commercialize specialized human health products and technologies including vaccines, gene therapies and assistive medical and diagnostic services.

Kenya BioVax Institute Board Chairman Mugo Kibati said that they are confident that Dr. Lusiola will lead the organization with distinction, scientific innovation, commercial business acumen and integrity after a competitive recruitment process.

Other board members of the Kenya Biovax Institute limited include Prof. Sam Kariuki, Mr. Sachen Chandaria, Ms Shamim Chanzu, Mr. Dennis Rangi, Dr. John Kiiru and an Alternate to Cabinet Secretary of Treasury

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