EGYPT—The Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) has partnered with Dutch firm Bilthoven Biologicals to establish a cooperation agreement to transfer technology for manufacturing the injectable polio vaccine.
The agreement was formalized in the presence of Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, during the Global Congress on Population, Health, and Human Development 2024.
This event, now in its second edition, took place under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the theme “Human Development: For a Sustainable Future.”
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, elaborated on the partnership, emphasizing Bilthoven Biologicals’ prominent role as a leader in vaccine technology transfer.
He highlighted that this agreement marks the first time the company has extended its vaccine manufacturing expertise outside Europe.
Furthermore, the Dutch firm has committed to providing comprehensive support to ensure that Egypt’s production facilities meet rigorous good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards, thus guaranteeing high-quality vaccine production.
According to Abdel Ghaffar, the agreement enables Egypt to take on the final stages of manufacturing the injectable polio vaccine, which is critical to maintaining Egypt’s polio-free status.
He also noted that Egypt could potentially export this vaccine to other African countries besides supplying the national demand, reinforcing its role as a regional healthcare leader.
Through this collaboration, Egypt aims to produce between 60% and 65% of its injectable polio vaccine needs locally, further reducing dependency on imported vaccines.
Sherif Al-Feel, Managing Director of VACSERA, emphasized the broader significance of this cooperation, viewing it as an essential step toward localizing vaccine production and achieving self-sufficiency.
By reducing reliance on foreign suppliers, Egypt aims not only to safeguard its own population but also to position itself as a potential vaccine supplier for neighboring countries across the African continent.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE