Product Development

Development of regionally relevant vaccines and other biologicals

Biovac has invested in creating a world class and locally relevant vaccine process and product development capability in South Africa.

End-to-end bacterial conjugate vaccine capability including bacterial fermentation, polysaccharide and protein purification, conjugation, vaccine formulation and analytical method development platforms, with Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) fermentation suites, has been established.

We have developed a technology package for the manufacture of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine. To date, this has been transferred to two international vaccine manufacturers. One of our partners has successfully commercialised a pentavalent vaccine containing Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae b (DTP-HepB-Hib) using our conjugate Hib vaccine technology. The second partner has started clinical trials.

Our Hib technology package is available for technology transfer to additional partners, with exclusivity within a country or region.
Biovac is currently involved in the development of a novel Group B Streptococcus conjugate vaccine.

Establishing strategic partnerships is at the centre of Biovac’s success in building capacity in Africa for the development and manufacture of vaccines and biologicals. We are open to collaboration with local and overseas organisations and scientists on vaccine development projects which are relevant to Africa and other developing countries.