Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi Visits Dei BioPharma Facility in Matugga
MATUGGA, September 19, 2024 – The sun shone brightly over the Dei BioPharma drugs and vaccines manufacturing facility, casting a warm glow over the sprawling complex in Matugga, Wakiso District.
As anticipation filled the air, a convoy of sleek cars arrived, bringing a distinguished delegation of Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), led by Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi.
Upon arrival, the delegation stepped onto the polished concrete floors of the 150-acre facility, greeted by the hum of advanced machinery and the chatter of employees. The visitors exchanged warm smiles and handshakes, their expressions reflecting a mix of pride and curiosity.
Mr. Ssenyonyi and members of the Shadow Cabinet were given a guided tour by Dr. Matthias Magoola, Founder and Managing Director of Dei BioPharma, assisted by key members of the management team, including Board Chairperson Dr. Patrick Wakida, Chief Pharmacist Dr. Arthur Kayanja, and other senior officials.
As they moved through the facility, employees watched with interest and enthusiasm, eager to showcase their work and share their experiences.
Mr. Ssenyonyi commended the progress made so far and appreciated the facility’s openness to scrutiny.
“We will keep coming and following up to ensure there’s value for the money invested,” he emphasized.
He further urged Dei BioPharma to speed up vaccine production to reduce reliance on imported vaccines.
Dr. Magoola’s Commitment to Innovation
In response, Dr. Magoola expressed gratitude to the MPs for their support and assured them of the company’s commitment to delivering quality pharmaceutical products.
He explained that the manufacturing plant project consists of 10 specialized facilities, each dedicated to:
- Vaccines
- Generics
- Nutraceuticals
- Oncology/cancer treatments
- Penicillin, cephalosporins, and non-beta-lactam antibiotics
- Injectables and parental drugs
- Medical devices and ophthalmic products
The facility also houses the YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories, which conduct research in:
- Cancer treatments
- QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control)
- Drug discovery
- Gene and cell therapy
- mRNA therapeutics
- Biosimilars and biologics
Dr. Magoola highlighted that five of the ten components—including the generics section, warehousing facility, biotech laboratories, injectable facility, and vaccines plant—are already ready for production.
The facility can also manufacture biological drugs, cytokines, therapeutic proteins, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies.
A Call for National Support
Dr. Wakida urged MPs to set aside political differences and support the facility, emphasizing its national importance.
Upon full completion, he stated that the facility—estimated to cost $2 billion—will provide affordable and essential therapies for Africans, including:
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Novel vaccines targeting Africa’s most pressing infections
He emphasized that these contributions will position Ugandan scientists as global leaders in research and development, rather than being recipients of outdated technologies.
The facility is also projected to employ up to 40,000 Ugandans, significantly boosting Uganda’s GDP and self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals.
Dei BioPharma’s Prestigious Recognition
Dei BioPharma was recently awarded the Best Pharma Company at the African Excellence Awards, organized by MEA Markets in London, UK. This prestigious recognition highlights Dei BioPharma’s role in advancing Africa’s pharmaceutical sector.
Status of the Dei BioPharma Plant
Overview
Located on 150 acres of land, Dei BioPharma Ltd is designed to manufacture essential medicines for Africa, including:
- Vital drugs and vaccines
- mRNA-based treatments
- Biological solutions such as Filgrastim, Erythropoietin, and Trastuzumab
Current Progress
- Biotech Facility – Africa’s first biotech facility under a US patent, set to produce:
- Latest cancer drugs
- Biosimilars
- Peptides
- Cell therapy
- Biologics, cytokines, and therapeutic proteins
- Gene therapy and vaccines (mRNA, subunit, recombinant, polysaccharide, and conjugate vaccines)
- Fully compliant with FDA, EU-EMA, and WHO standards
- Expected to start production next year
- Injectables Facility – Complete and ready for production.
- Largest Warehousing Facility in East Africa – Includes cutting-edge cold chain technology, with storage capacity for 60,000 pallets of mRNA vaccines and pharmaceuticals (Complete).
- YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories – Specializing in:
- Cancer research
- Drug discovery
- mRNA therapeutics
- Gene and cell therapy
- Biologics and biosimilars (Complete)
- Generics Section – Capable of manufacturing 150+ different medicines (Complete; antibiotic production starts next month).
- Nutraceuticals Section – Producing tablets, capsules, sachets, ointments, and syrups (Under construction).
- Penicillin, Cephalosporin & Non-Beta Lactam Facility – FDA/WHO/EU-EMA compliant; completion expected next year.
- Oncology/Cancer Drug Manufacturing Facility – Designed under EOL5 FDA standards (Under construction).
- Virus Vaccine Facility – Expected completion next year, set to produce:
- Tetanus Toxoid (TT) Vaccine
- Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine
- Hepatitis B (Hep B) Vaccine (known as the “first anti-cancer vaccine”)
- DTP-Hep B-Hib Vaccine (Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B, and Hib protection for infants)
- Influenza Vaccines (TIV/QIV)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV 10)
- Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV)
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- HPV Bivalent Vaccine (protects against HPV types 16 and 18, known to cause most HPV-related cancers)
