South Africa seals R&D deal with big pharma

Partnership aims to produce medicines made for Africa by Africans

A partnership between international pharmaceutical companies and South Africa’s research community will result in fairer, more accessible research outcomes that address the needs of local people, one of its architects has said.

Ben Durham, chief director of bio-innovation at South Africa’s Department of Science and Innovation, said the partnership, announced on 27 January, would create fresh collaborations and also boost pharmaceutical manufacturing locally.