81322845-MAV+: Technical assistance for selected companies in the pharmaceutical sector in South Africa for the SAVax project

The project "Vaccines for Africa: Roll out and Production in South Africa" (SAVax) is part of South Africa's strategic objective to enhance the local production of vaccines, medicines, and health technologies. Co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), SAVax aims to strengthen local manufacturing capacity in the biopharmaceutical industry and improve access to essential health products. The initiative aligns with the goals of key South African government partners, including the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the Department of Health (DoH), and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), to create a sustainable and competitive biopharmaceutical sector.

The project aims at supporting selected South African biopharmaceutical companies with "ready-for-market" products, providing targeted technical assistance to improve their manufacturing capacity, and enhancing market access at national, regional, and continental levels. These companies face challenges such as market intelligence gaps, demand forecasting difficulties, high production costs, and technology transfer obstacles, which impede their ability to meet growing health needs. Addressing these challenges requires long-term strategies, including off-take agreements, purchase guarantees, and investment in technology and skills development.