Collaboration between African vaccine manufacturers through capacity strengthening and technology transfer

 

Livestock in sub-Saharan Africa is threatened by various diseases that are causing significant economic and social hardship due to direct loss of animals, high cost of treatments, reduced productivity and market disruptions. In addition, some of these diseases are of concern due to their potential to cause morbidity and mortality in humans. Most of these diseases are preventable and can be controlled by quality vaccines.  

Most veterinary vaccines used in sub-Saharan Africa are manufactured by government-owned national manufacturing facilities. Such systems are facing challenges in meeting the significant financial, technical and time investments required to hire and train the number of skilled professionals required to meet quality standards. This increases the risk of producing poor quality vaccines, with negative impacts on livestock productivity and animal health and welfare. Manufacturing know-how is often acquired through a technology transfer agreement, which can take years, postponing solutions to pressing animal health problems. 

Under this project, a gender-balanced cohort of 38 professionals from 13 state-owned vaccine manufacturing facilities will be trained in the necessary practical skills and know-how for vaccine production, quality control testing and quality assurance. The project will also facilitate transfer and piloting of a bulk antigen (pasteurella vaccine) processing technology, including the establishment of production and quality systems, to two selected vaccine manufacturers. 

This project is funded under the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund, a seven-year partnership between IDRC, Global Affairs Canada and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The fund supports the development, production and commercialization of innovative vaccines against livestock diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.