Africa and Europe Unite to Revolutionize RNA-Based Vaccines and Therapeutics Production
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Africa’s EVA Pharma, France’s DNA Script, and Belgium’s Quantoom Biosciences have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an innovative end-to-end RNA-based vaccine and therapeutic production platform. This agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the 2nd Vaccine and Other Health Products Manufacturing Forum for African Union Member States, organized by Africa CDC and hosted by the Egyptian United Procurement Authority (UPA) in Cairo.
This strategic partnership aims to transform vaccine manufacturing by integrating cutting-edge technologies to develop and produce nucleic acid-based vaccines and therapeutics, including messenger RNA (mRNA) and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines for both human and animal health. By leveraging the combined expertise of EVA Pharma, DNA Script, and Quantoom Biosciences, this initiative seeks to establish a scalable, efficient, and highly localized vaccine production infrastructure in Egypt.
A Next-Generation Digital-to-Biologics Platform Vaccines
The collaboration introduces the first-ever digital-to-biologics, end-to-end mRNA production platform, which will integrate:
- DNA Script’s enzymatic DNA synthesis technology, a pioneering approach that allows for rapid and precise DNA template production.
- Quantoom Biosciences’ Ntensify® mRNA synthesis and Ncapsulate® formulation technologies, which enable efficient and scalable mRNA and saRNA production.
- EVA Pharma’s extensive expertise in vaccine development, GMP-certified sterile manufacturing, and commercialization, ensuring rapid deployment and distribution of vaccines and therapeutics.
This comprehensive platform is poised to address critical market needs, including the rapid response to infectious disease outbreaks and routine immunizations, particularly in regions that are currently underserved by traditional vaccine manufacturing networks. The long-term goal is to significantly enhance Africa’s self-reliance in vaccine production, reducing dependency on external suppliers and improving access to life-saving immunizations across the continent.
Building Regional and Global Health Security
One of the key objectives of this partnership is to produce 100 million doses of RNA-based vaccines annually, significantly strengthening regional autonomy in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This effort aligns with Africa CDC’s ambitious target of 60% local vaccine production by 2040 and Egypt’s goal of manufacturing 385 million vaccine doses annually by 2030. By scaling up production capacity, the collaboration will enhance pandemic preparedness and response capabilities while also supporting broader public health resilience initiatives across Africa and the Middle East.
Additionally, the partnership will focus on developing next-generation saRNA-based vaccines targeting zoonotic diseases, reinforcing the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This strategy will help mitigate emerging health threats and ensure better disease control at the source.
Leadership Perspectives on the Collaboration
The leaders of the three companies underscored the transformative impact of the partnership:
- Dr. Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma, expressed enthusiasm, stating: “This moment will reshape African and global health security as we know it. Our cross-continental collaboration will empower patients with next-generation, scalable, and versatile solutions that transform what once took years into a process achievable in weeks. This is not tomorrow’s promise; it is today’s reality. With an operational biologics manufacturing site producing 100 million vials and 1.5 billion doses of animal health vaccine already commercialized, we have the infrastructure to streamline vaccine production using groundbreaking mRNA technology while ensuring unparalleled safety.”
- Marc Montserrat, CEO of DNA Script, emphasized the role of DNA synthesis technology in accelerating vaccine development: “Our collaboration with EVA Pharma and Univercells-Quantoom to implement our proprietary enzymatic DNA synthesis technology directly supports the mission to accelerate vaccine development and delivery worldwide. By dramatically reducing the time needed to produce DNA templates and enabling the synthesis of longer and more complex DNA sequences, we are ensuring that innovative vaccine technology can reach those at highest risk during emerging epidemics more rapidly than ever before.”
- José Castillo, CEO of Quantoom Biosciences, highlighted the significance of combining global expertise: “This collaboration showcases the transformative power of combining complementary expertise across borders. Together, we are not only advancing RNA technologies but also addressing global health inequities by making life-saving vaccines and therapeutics accessible to underserved populations.”
- Hala Audi, CEO of Unizima, praised EVA Pharma’s role in leading regional biotech innovations: “EVA Pharma is already showing the world the power of investing in the biopharma sector to create health and wealth in Africa and the Middle East. We are proud to support the tech transfer of some of the best technology for DNA and RNA manufacturing to Egypt as the next chapter in their growth.”
Transforming the Future of Healthcare in Africa and Beyond
By merging their strengths, EVA Pharma, DNA Script, and Quantoom Biosciences are setting the stage for a paradigm shift in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This MoU represents a steadfast commitment to advancing global health equity, sustainable vaccine production, and regional economic resilience.
The collaboration not only fosters innovation but also strengthens Egypt’s position as a leader in the global vaccine market. By making advanced RNA-based vaccines more accessible and affordable, this initiative will have a profound and lasting impact on healthcare systems in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
As the world continues to grapple with infectious diseases and the evolving challenges of global health security, this partnership serves as a model for cross-border collaboration, scientific innovation, and healthcare sustainability. The establishment of a state-of-the-art RNA-based vaccine production platform marks a significant step forward in creating a more resilient, self-sufficient, and equitable future for healthcare worldwide.
