Medicine production at Dei BioPharma begins in October

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WAKISO - The leadership of Dei BioPharma, Uganda’s first research-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, has assured opposition MPs that the international facility will commence production next month (October).  

The Opposition shadow cabinet, led by the Leader of Opposition, Joel  Ssenyonyi, visited the company in Kigogwa, Wakiso district, Thursday. 

Ssenyonyi (second-left), shakes hands with Wakida (right) as Magoola (second-right) looks on after touring the plant at Kigoogwa, Matugga in Wakiso district. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

MPs tour Uganda’s first research-based biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing plant. (Credit: AFP)

Dei BioPharma’s founder and managing director, Dr Matthias Magoola, explained that production will begin in batches, starting with antibiotics used to treat malaria, diabetes and other ailments.  

He stated that by next year, the plant aims to manufacture over 100  different formulations. 

Kassanda district Woman Member of Parliament Flavia Nabagabe Kalule (C) also toured the facility. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The Members of Parliament were guided through the $2.2b (sh8.15  trillion) facility by the company’s board chairperson, Dr Patrick  Wakida, along with a team of senior officials, including board pharmacist  Dr Arthur Kayanja. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“I thank President Yoweri Museveni, without him, we would not have achieved our vision,” he told the approximately 15 legislators who toured the 150-acre Dei BioPharma drug and vaccine manufacturing facility. 

The Members of Parliament were guided through the $2.2b (sh8.15  trillion) facility by the company’s board chairperson, Dr Patrick  Wakida, along with a team of senior officials, including board pharmacist  Dr Arthur Kayanja.
 

The MPs visit aimed to evaluate whether the company could support a loan facility of sh723.4b recently extended by the Government. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Their visit aimed to evaluate whether the company could support a loan facility of sh723.4b recently extended by the Government. In response to the MPs’ inquiries, Magoola said: “We made an agreement with the Government of Uganda that when our company  starts production of the medicines, we  will be able to repay the loan quickly,  allowing the funds to be used for  other purposes.” 

To secure the loan, the Government acquired a 9.4% share in the company, while the remaining 90.6% is held by two directors: Magoola and his wife, Kellen Kamulungi.

Dei BioPharma’s founder and managing director, Dr Matthias Magoola, explained that production will begin in batches, starting with antibiotics used to treat malaria, diabetes and other ailments. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Magoola further explained that the National Drug Authority (NDA), the World Health Organisation and other agencies, including the National Environment Management Authority, had approved the company to begin production. 

He said the manufacturing plant project features 10 state-of-the-art facilities, each specialising in areas such as vaccines, generics, nutraceuticals, oncology (cancer),  penicillin, cephalosporins, non-beta-lactam drugs, injectables, parenteral, medical devices and ophthalmics.

 Additionally, the plant houses the YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories,  which focus on ground-breaking components of cancer research, drug discovery, gene therapy, cell therapy,  mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) therapeutics and vaccines for diseases; including COVID-19, polio and measles.  

It also addresses biosimilars —  biologic medical products that are nearly identical to original products made by different companies — and biologics, which are derived from living organisms and can treat various diseases. 

The Opposition shadow cabinet, led by the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, visited the company in Kigogwa, Wakiso district, Thursday. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Magoola noted that five of the 10  components, including the generics section, warehousing facility, biotech laboratories, injectable facility,  and vaccine plant, are ready for production.

He also mentioned that Dei  BioPharma was recently recognised as one of the best pharmaceutical companies at this year’s African Excellence Awards, organised by MEA (Middle East and Africa) Markets, a quarterly digital publication based in  London, UK.

Magoola explained that the National Drug Authority (NDA), the World Health Organisation and other agencies, including the National Environment Management Authority, had approved the company to begin production.  (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Wakida informed the MPs that one of the company’s objectives is to reduce the costs of expensive medications,  such as cancer treatments. “Our prices will generally be affordable, because we process and produce the drugs, unlike those who import and package them here,” he said. 

Ssenyonyi pointed out that the Government has extended sh723.4b funding, with the most recent allocation of sh578m provided through a supplementary budget, which he opposed due to several unresolved issues.

 “We appreciate that you have been open with us, adding that excluding legislators could suggest that something was amiss.

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MPs led by the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and Dei BioPharma officials speak to the press. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)