Press Release: Univercells and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed a MoU focusing on building a thriving biopharmaceutical ecosystem in Nigeria and upskilling its workforce to increase local manufacturing.

Last Monday Univercells had the honor of hosting HE Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of the Republic of Nigeria, and Dr. Abdu Mukhtar, National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC). This event took place under the patronage of Univercells’ CEO, Hugues Bultot along with the presence of Quantoom Biosciences’ CEO and CTO of Univercells, José Castillo, and Unizima’s CEO, Ms. Hala Audi. Together, all parties are pleased to announce a new partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

This exciting collaboration focuses on the adoption of biotechnology in Nigeria and aims to facilitate cooperation in establishing the necessary infrastructure for local research, development, and manufacturing of medicines that are vital for both human and animal public health. The goal is to save more lives and provide affordable healthcare for local populations.

More specifically, the collaboration will focus on the following areas: support regional needs assessment through strategic and technical expertise provided by Univercells; support Nigeria in the development of a skilled workforce that will be participating in the biomanufacturing value chain; transfer mRNA technologies to partners designated by the Government of Nigeria; collaborate on product research, development and manufacturing of public health interest including but not limited to Lassa Fever Vaccine and collaborate on access to funding in order to unlock the health value chain.

The objectives of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) by HE President Tinubu, include the restructuring of the nation’s health product manufacturing ecosystem to enhance domestic production of life-saving medicines, vaccines, and biologics. In pursuit of this goal, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW), under the leadership of the Hon. Coordinating Minister Muhammad Ali Pate, has engaged with a diverse range of companies, both domestically and internationally, to foster the development of new biotech capabilities in Nigeria, including creation of high-quality jobs in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, Univercells being one of them.

Univercells, through its affiliate Unizima, has already well-established collaborations on the African continent, working on the ground and building new biomanufacturing sites and workforce capability in several African countries. This partnership underscores the company’s know-how in increasing access to health care and quality medication and vaccinations for everyone, everywhere.

This new agreement represents a major step forward in realizing both parties’ ambition to save more lives and provide affordable healthcare for all Nigerians.

Hugues Bultot, CEO of Univercells Group commented: “Univercells is thrilled about this new collaboration with the Nigerian authorities, that will help the country to develop and produce their own vaccines and biotherapeutics and leading to a more resilient health system. We are proud that Univercells, together with our African partners, can kickstart this exciting collaboration, which will bring us closer to our mission, bringing health for all.”

HE Muhammad Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Nigeria, added: “We are delighted to initiate a collaboration with the Univercells Group as we share a common mission and values. This new collaboration is an important step towards Nigeria’s goal to increase domestic production of vaccines and biologics through the establishment of local biotech capabilities and the creation of jobs in the health and pharma sectors, which are vital for the health and well-being of the Nigerian population.”