Univercells and the Nigerian government have finalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the goal of strengthening Nigeria’s biopharmaceutical ecosystem and workforce. The collaboration, announced by its vice-president for corporate communications, Ms. Cecile Hisette underscored a joint commitment to local manufacturing and improving healthcare accessibility.
Hisette emphasised that the partnership would concentrate on various key areas, including regional needs assessment, workforce upskilling, mRNA technology transfer and research and development of products, with a specific focus on addressing public health priorities such as the Lassa fever vaccine.
Furthermore, Hisette highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), aiming to bolster the domestic production of essential medicines and vaccines, thus enhancing healthcare accessibility in Nigeria.
Quoting the CEO of Univercells Group, Hugues Bultot, Hisette expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration’s potential to fortify Nigeria’s health system.
Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Pate emphasised the significance of the partnership for job creation and healthcare improvement.
Univercells, renowned for its mission to make biologics globally accessible, brings its expertise in scaling, production, and bioprocessing to drive down costs and meet healthcare needs. Headquartered in Jumet, Belgium, Univercells enjoys support from both regional and international investors, including the European Investment Bank and the Global Health Investment Fund.
Through this strategic partnership, Univercells and the Nigerian government aim to catalyse advancements in the biopharmaceutical sector, fostering local capacity building, economic growth and ultimately, improved healthcare outcomes for the Nigerian populace. This collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and the well-being of communities, aligning with global efforts to address healthcare disparities and promote health equity.
