Company Overview

The Biovac Institute (TBI) is a Public Private Partnership between the South African government and the Biovac Consortium. The Biovac Institute was set up to develop and manufacture cost-effective, high-quality human vaccines. The only vaccine manufacturing facility in South Africa, The Biovac Institute is focused on ensuring the country has the required domestic capacity to respond to both local and regional vaccine needs.

Recognising the need for a domestic manufacturer of vaccines to enable the South African Health industry to respond to epidemic emergencies and secure the health of the country’s children, the Department of Health (DoH) partnered with a strategic equity partner, the Biovac Consortium to create The Biovac Institute in 2003.

The Biovac Institutes’ vision is to be a Centre of Excellence rooted in Africa for the development and manufacture of affordable quality vaccines for Africa and the developing world’s needs. It has six strategic objectives:

• To ensure economic viability
• To establish a strong Research & Development capability
• To establish domestic vaccine production capacity
• To develop and retain local vaccine production skills
• To create a competitive platform for export
• To enable Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment

Since 2003, in excess of R80 million has been invested to build the infrastructure and expertise to support the organisation’s goal of becoming a fully-fledged vaccine manufacturer by 2013.

Already the largest distributor of vaccines in South Africa, The Biovac Institute imports, labels, packages and distributes vaccines for both the South African public sector and Southern African countries.

One of TBI’s key areas of focus is the development of local vaccine research, development and production-related expertise and skills. These skills are important in the revival and sustenance of world-class vaccine manufacturing capabilities in Africa.

Developing a Centre of Excellence: Milestones

• 2010
  Clinical Trial Manufacturing Facility upgrade completed
• 2009
  Commercial Manufacturing Centre construction completed
  Initiation of internal infrastructure installation
  Research and Development Laboratories upgraded
  Over 95 staff employed
• 2007
  A new Quality Control Facility Officially Opened by Minister of Health
• 2005
  A new Viewing, Labelling and Packaging Facility commissioned
• 2003
  Department of Health (DoH) signs Public Private Partnership Agreement with The Biovac Consortium to create The Biovac Institute from State Vaccine Institute. The Biovac Institute employs 24 staff.

Determined to play a meaningful role in the development of the region and the health of its people, The Biovac Institute aims to revitalise vaccine manufacturing in Southern Africa by building capacity and expertise in every aspect of vaccine development, from clinical trials to full-scale commercial production, and for both local and international markets.


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>> Areas of Research and Development
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