Bio Usawa Biotechnology and ServareGMP formed a strategic partnership to establish advanced monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing capabilities in Africa, directly addressing the critical healthcare access gap affecting patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The collaboration spans four core pillars:
- Local Biomanufacturing Infrastructure: Building and operating advanced GMP manufacturing facilities in Africa for the production of high-quality mAbs.
- Workforce Development & Training: Implementing industry-leading training programs to cultivate a skilled biopharma workforce across the continent.
- Process Innovation: Deploying next-generation process optimization and cost-reduction technologies to make antibody therapies more affordable.
- Emergency Response Capability: Establishing rapid development and deployment protocols for mAbs to respond to pandemics and regional health crises.
The partnership combines Bio Usawa’s understanding of African healthcare markets with Servare’s biopharmaceutical development expertise, according to Richard Chin, MD, Bio Usawa’s co-founder and board chair. Together, the organizations bring experience across biotherapeutic development, clinical testing, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), regulatory approvals, and global commercialization of breakthrough biomedicines, including many of the leading blockbuster therapies on the market today, added Chin, noting that the collaboration is grounded in a shared commitment to addressing the growing therapeutic access disparity in LMICs.
The partnership’s strategic focus aligns with recent initiatives by both organizations: Servare’s collaboration with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop countermeasures against the Nipah virus, and Bio Usawa’s partnership with Bioeq for BioUcenta, a biosimilar of Lucentis® targeting retinopathies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“ServareGMP was founded on the belief that world-class biomanufacturing should be globally distributed,” noted Gary Pierce, executive director of ServareGMP. “Through this collaboration, we are not only addressing immediate healthcare needs but also building sustainable infrastructure that will benefit future generations of African patients. Together, we will impact African healthcare by empowering communities and saving lives.”
“This initiative is about more than medicine—it’s about building self-reliance, equity, and resilience,” pointed out Chin. “We are proud to co-create a future in which life-saving therapies are widely available at an affordable price for patients in Africa and in other LMICs. We are building the foundation for a more just and resilient global healthcare system.”
The partnership extends beyond cost reduction to fundamentally restructure how biotherapeutics are developed, produced, and delivered in LMICs, said officials from both companies in a statement. By investing in local talent, infrastructure, and innovation, the partnership seeks to ensure that patients in Africa can access the same life-saving therapies as those in high-income countries—both during crises and for ongoing care.
mAbs are a cornerstone of modern medicine. However, cost and access barriers prevent their widespread use in many LMICs. This partnership will focus on changing that by enabling local production and distribution—cutting costs, reducing reliance on imports, and improving response times in health emergencies.
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