Science Tech
DAKAR, Senegal — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation revealed a $40 million initiative aimed at supporting several African manufacturers in developing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines on the continent, where COVID-19 vaccinations were lagging. Although it may take up to three years before these vaccines gain approval and hit the market, the foundation sees this mRNA investment as a significant stride toward enhancing vaccine equity.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation, emphasized the promise of mRNA technology in addressing both local and global diseases in Africa. During a visit to the Institut Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, Gates expressed optimism about leveraging African capabilities to work on vaccines and scale up production.
The funding will be directed to Institut Pasteur and South Africa-based Biovac, utilizing an mRNA research and manufacturing platform developed by Quantoom Biosciences in Belgium. Each of these Africa-based manufacturers will receive $5 million in funding, while an additional $10 million is allocated for unnamed companies. The remaining $20 million is designated for Quantoom to advance technology and reduce costs.
The mRNA vaccine technology gained prominence with COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, involving genetic code snippets to instruct protein production for immune response. While COVID-19 mRNA vaccines underwent expedited regulatory processes, the new vaccines in Africa face a longer development timeline, ranging from three to seven years.
Dr. Amadou Sall, CEO of Institut Pasteur, emphasized the deal’s importance in fostering vaccine self-reliance in Africa, envisioning the use of mRNA technology for diseases like Lassa fever and Rift Valley fever. The goal is to ensure that Africa can manufacture its own vaccines, contributing to development and equitable vaccination in future pandemics.
Jose Castillo, CEO of Quantoom Biosciences, highlighted the transformative impact of mRNA technologies on low- and middle-income countries, enabling autonomy in research and development. The platform requires minimal space and has the potential to establish manufacturing facilities capable of producing millions of doses.
As the largest private philanthropic donor with $8.3 billion to allocate in 2023, the Gates Foundation continues its commitment to global health, including advancing vaccines for various diseases.
