Nairobi-based Bio Usawa partnered with DEK, a vaccine manufacturing company, to distribute Bio Usawa’s biopharmaceutical products throughout Ghana and the broader West African region.
Under the terms of the agreement, DEK will provide essential infrastructure and expertise to support Bio Usawa’s market entry and expansion across West Africa, including:
• Local Representation: DEK will serve as Bio Usawa’s local agent in Ghana and provide a qualified person for pharmacovigilance (QPPV) services;
• Cold Chain Management: Cold chain warehousing facilities, which will ensure proper storage and handling of Bio Usawa’s temperature-sensitive biopharmaceutical products;
• Regional Distribution: Comprehensive distribution network covering Ghana and the West African region.
The partnership will initially focus on the distribution of BioUcenta, Bio Usawa’s treatment for diabetic macular edema, which is expected to launch in the market soon, according to a Bio Usawa official. Additional biopharmaceutical products of mutual interest will be included as the partnership expands.
Africa’s dual health burden
Africa faces a huge rise in non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes-induced complications, and heart disease, while continuing to battle persistent infectious diseases, notes Patrick Lukulay, PhD, chief operating officer at Bio Usawa. This dual health burden presents significant challenges for healthcare systems across the continent that are often under-resourced and unprepared for such complex medical needs, he adds.
“It is crucial that we begin introducing proven, breakthrough life-saving therapies that represent the standard of care in developed countries to address Africa’s evolving disease landscape,” notes Lukulay. “Our company is devoted to pioneering in this critical area by leveraging innovative manufacturing technologies and strategic marketing approaches to ensure our products remain accessible and affordable for African patients.”
DEK brings experience in pharmaceutical distribution across West Africa through its parent company, Kina Pharma. This deep understanding of local markets, regulatory environments, and distribution challenges will be instrumental in ensuring the successful rollout of Bio Usawa’s products, points out Kofi Nsiah-Poku, PhD, chief executive officer of DEK.
Partnership with Sartorius Stedim Biotech
Bio Usawa CEO Menghis Bairu, MD, says the company also formed a partnership with Sartorius Stedim Biotech that will focus on developing and manufacturing affordable, high-quality monoclonal antibodies in Sub-Saharan Africa to tackle oncology, diabetes-induced eye diseases, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions. The agreement will also cover joint initiatives in workforce development, process innovation, and technology transfer.
“Our partnership with Sartorius Stedim Biotech is transformational—it allows us to bring advanced biomanufacturing technology to Africa, train a new generation of African scientists, and produce innovative biopharmaceuticals that are accessible and affordable for our people,” states Bairu.
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