Senegal could begin producing Covid-19 vaccines next year under an agreement with Belgian biotech group Univercells. As wealthy countries begin to reopen after securing vaccine supplies early, African nations are still struggling to acquire shots. Under the agreement, the Institut Pasteur would use vaccine production technology developed by Univercells to supply Covid-19 vaccine shots to countries across West Africa. Univercells also has its own Covid-19 vaccine candidate, being developed with Germany's Leukocare and Italian firm ReiThera, which has completed Phase II trials. The European Union said last month that it will invest at least 1 billion euros to build manufacturing hubs in Africa, with Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco and Egypt among the leading candidates.

Source: News 24 June 06, 2021 11:36 UTC