MATUGGA. On Thursday, September 19, 20204, the sun illuminated on Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines manufacturing facility, casting a warm glow over the sprawling complex located in Matugga, Wakiso District.
As it illuminated the excitement and anticipation that filled the air, a convoy of sleek cars pulled up to the entrance, disgorging a dignified procession of Opposition Members of Parliament, led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi.
As they stepped onto the polished concrete floor of the facility sitting on 150 acres of land, the hum of machinery and the chatter of employees greeted them, punctuated by the occasional clang of metal on metal. The leaders exchanged warm smiles and firm handshakes, their faces reflecting a mix of pride and curiosity.
Mr. Ssenyonyi and Members of the Shadow Cabinet were taken around the facility by Dei Founder and Managing Director, Dr. Matthias Magoola, assisted by his team, including the Board Chairperson, Dr. Patrick Wakida, Chief Pharmacist Dr. Arthur Kayanja and senior members of the management team.
As the leaders began their tour, the factory’s employees watched with interest, eager to showcase their work and share their stories.
Mr. Ssenyonyi commended the progress made so far and appreciated the facility’s openness to scrutiny.
He urged the plant to speed up the production of essential vaccines to reduce reliance on imported vaccines.
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament acknowledged the facility’s significance and challenged Dei BioPharma to prove its value to Ugandans. “We will keep coming and following up to ensure there’s value for the money invested,” he emphasised.
On his part, Dr. Magoola expressed gratitude to MPs for their support and assured them of the company’s commitment to delivering quality products.
He explained that the manufacturing plant project consists of 10 different facilities, each specialising in vaccines, generics, nutraceuticals, oncology/cancer, penicillin, cephalosporins, non-beta-lactam, injectables, WFI, parentals, medical devices, and ophthalmic products.
Additionally, it boasts of the vital YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories, which cover the groundbreaking components of cancer research, QA/QC, drug discovery, gene therapy, cell therapy, mRNA therapeutics, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics.
Five of the 10 components, including the generics section, the warehousing facility, the biotech laboratories, the injectable facility, and the vaccines plant, are ready for production.
Crucially, he said the facility can manufacture biological drugs, cytokines, therapeutic proteins, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies.
Dr. Wakida urged MPs to set aside politics and support the facility, citing its national importance.
Upon its full completion, Dr. Wakida said the drugs and vaccines manufacturing plant, estimated to cost $2 billion, will go a long way in introducing the much-needed therapies that are unaffordable to most Africans, such as anti-cancer drugs, as well as novel vaccines specifically targeting infections in Africa.
Above all, he said these contributions of Uganda will create role models for other African scientists to lead research and development instead of being at the receiving end of obsolete technology that had always been limited to the end part of product manufacturing, and even that had been very limited throughout Africa’s history.
It will also employ up to 40,000 Ugandans, contributing highly to the country’s GDP.
Dei BioPharma was recently recognised with the title of Best Pharma Company at this year’s African Excellence Awards, organised by MEA Markets based in London, UK. This prestigious recognition highlights Dei BioPharma’s leading role in advancing the pharmaceutical sector in Africa
Status of Dei Biopharma Plant
Under the facility that stands on 150 acres of land, Dei Biopharma Ltd will make vital drugs for the region and beyond; all types of vaccines on top of the mRNA vaccines, and other biological solutions listed as essential drugs such as Filgrastim, Erythropoietin, and Trastuzumab.
Current Progress
1. The Bio-tech Facility: This is first biotech facility in Africa under US patent. These facilities will produce the latest cancer drugs, biosimilars, peptides, cell therapy, biologics, cytokines, therapeutic proteins, Gene therapy and vaccines including mNRA and others — subunit, recombiant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines. The facility is fully compliant with FDA, EU-EMA and WHO standards. This is ready for production next year.
2. Injectables Facility ( This is also complete).
3. The biggest warehousing Facility in the region, complete with state-of-the-art cold chain technology capable of storing 60,000 pallets of mRNA and other vaccines, plus other pharmaceutical products (This too is complete).
4. The YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories include the following components; Cancer research, QA/QC, drug discovery, gene therapy, cell therapy, mRNA therapeutics, vaccines, biosimilars and biologics. (This facility, too, is complete).
5. The Generic Section: This will manufacture more than 150 products/different drugs and medicines. (This facility is complete and starts the manufacture of antibiotics next month.)
6. State-of-the-art Nutraceuticals Section: This facility will produce tablet, capsules, sachets, ointment, and syrup (under construction).
7. The Penicillin, Cephalosporin & Non-Beta Lactam Facility: (The design of these facilities has been completed as per the FDA, WHO and EU-EMA guidelines by consultants from the US and Europe, and their construction will be completed next year).
8. The Oncology/Cancer Manufacturing Facility has been designed to meet the most stringent FDA standards under EOL5 guidelines and technology (under construction).
9. The Virus Vaccines Facility: To be completed in the next year; will produce the following vaccines;-
(i) Tetanus Toxoid (TT), a vaccine used to prevent tetanus.
(ii) Tetanus Diptheria vaccine, which can prevent tetanus and diphtheria.
(iii) The Hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine is also known as the first “anti-cancer” vaccine because it prevents hepatitis B, the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide.
(iv) (DTP-Hep B-Hib) Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis) or DTP, polio, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are six infectious diseases that are particularly dangerous to babies. Combined immunisations enable maximum protection to begin as soon as possible after birth.
(v) (TIV / QIV) The most commonly used influenza vaccines are injected inactivated influenza vaccines. These come in a trivalent (3 strains; TIV) and quadrivalent (4 strains; QIV) design.
(vi) (PCV 10) The PCV-10 vaccine protects against infection by the pneumococcus bacteria, one of the most common causes of pneumonia in children.
(vii) (TCV) Typhoid conjugate vaccines (TCVs) are of particular interest to the global health community because they have the potential to overcome many of the challenges that impeded uptake of earlier vaccines.
(viii) COVID-19 Vaccine.
(ix) (HPV Bivalent) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination: Three HPV vaccines—9-valent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9, 9vHPV), quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil, 4vHPV), and bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix, 2vHPV)—have been licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All three HPV vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18 that cause most HPV cancers.
