A one-year technical support between EVA Pharma and PATH aims to empower local vaccine innovation and development technology. 

 

CAIRO, 3 February 2025—EVA Pharma, one of the fastest-growing healthcare organizations in the Middle East and Africa, announced today a new initiative to boost mRNA vaccine innovation and development in Africa. Supported by a one-year of technical advisory provided by PATH, an innovative global nonprofit organization dedicated to health equity, the initiative emphasizes EVA Pharma’s profound commitment to fostering Africa’s health resilience.  

 

EVA Pharma’s vaccine initiative, taking place at EVA Pharma’s mRNA Innovation Hub, has four focus areas, including refining lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations to reach stable LNP formulations for storage at 2°C–8°C, utilizing advanced lipids and in-house-developed polymers to enhance vaccine thermostability, advancing self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA) encapsulation methods, and conducting robust safety and efficacy preclinical studies. As part of this research, experts from PATH, will conduct regular meetings with EVA Pharma’s research team to provide technical advisory support on the ongoing mRNA vaccine research, development, and production over a 12-month period. 

 

“We are bold in our ambition for Africa, establishing a sustainable vaccine development and manufacturing base that prioritizes the continental needs,” said Riad Armanious, CEO of EVA Pharma. “Despite innovation being a higher-risk bet, we will work with PATH to intensify our scientific knowledge, ensuring that vulnerable populations are protected throughout Africa.” 

 

About EVA Pharma’s mRNA Innovation Hub 

EVA Pharma has notably focused on localizing innovation in recent years through investing in research infrastructure and financing. The company has established an in-house research and development footprint, including its mRNA Innovation Hub, which is fully equipped to handle the complete mRNA vaccine development lifecycle—from digital sequencing to final drug formulation. This includes antigen selection, protein engineering, mRNA construct design, process development, innovative formulation delivery systems, and analytical method development.  

 

Anticipated impact for EVA Pharma’s mRNA Innovation Hub in Africa 

EVA Pharma’s mRNA Innovation Hub in Africa is poised to make a transformative impact on the continent’s healthcare and economic resilience. Since the research and development lab became operational in August 2024, EVA Pharma has been on track to establish a fully functional and end-to-end mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility by the end of 2025, with an anticipated annual capacity of 100 million vials. This initiative aligns with the Africa CDC’s goal of meeting 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs locally by 2040, which addresses a critical gap, as Africa currently produces less than 1% of its vaccines. By enhancing Africa’s ability to develop and manufacture vaccines locally, EVA Pharma supports health systems’ resilience and public health security, while also aligning with the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) initiative, which was launched by Gavi in June 2024.  

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About EVA Pharma 

EVA Pharma is dedicated to improving access to affordable, high-quality medicines around the world, focusing on three core pillars: innovation, development and sustainable access. The company leverages cutting-edge technology at two research centers bringing first-of-its-kind capabilities to the Middle East and Africa including mRNA research and development from AI prediction to biologic products. 

 

With a 5,000-strong team of professionals, EVA Pharma produces more than one million healthcare products a day at four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, which are internationally recognized for innovation, and have been approved by multiple regulatory agencies. 

 

Guided by a relentless drive to ensure sustainable access to pressing yet unmet disease areas, the company’s product portfolio focuses on twelve therapeutic areas: Anti-infectives, metabolic health, bone, neuroscience, oncology, respiratory, gynecology, urology and andrology, pediatrics, ophthalmology, gastrointestinal tract, family medicine to meet both local and international demand. 

 

EVA Pharma is one of the fastest-growing healthcare companies in the Middle East and Africa, with an extensive pan-African presence, while operating in more than 70 countries worldwide. 

 

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