Members of Parliament's Health Committee have on Tuesday visited Dei BioPharma, a research-based biotechnology and pharmaceuticals firm, currently developing a drugs and vaccines manufacturing facility at Matugga, near Kampala.
The MPs toured the 150-acre facility at Matugga, guided by Chairman Dr. Patrick Wakida, and Board Pharmacist Dr. Arthur Kayanya.
The manufacturing plant project comprises 10 state-of-the-art facilities, specializing in vaccines, generics, nutraceuticals, oncology/cancer, penicillin, cephalosporins, non-beta-lactam, injectables, WFI, parentals, medical devices, and ophthalmic.
The facility also boasts the YKTM GLP Biotech Laboratories, covering cancer research, QA/QC, drug discovery, gene therapy, cell therapy, mRNA therapeutics, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics.
Five components, including the Generics section, warehousing facility, biotech laboratories, injectable facility, and vaccines plant, are ready for production.
Dei BioPharma was recognized as the best pharma company at the African Excellence Awards, organized by MEA Markets in London, UK.
The company's development of biological drugs and vaccines manufacturing facility in Matugga will create upto 40,000 direct professional jobs.
Dr. Mathias Magoola, a Ugandan scientist and innovator has led Dei BioPharma to innovative discoveries, including the first US-patented chemical drug for treating malaria, the first mRNA universal vaccine against malaria, and mRNA vaccines against neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, HIV/HPV.
Upon completion, the Matugga-based plant will introduce direly needed therapies, including anticancer drugs and novel vaccines targeting African infections.
This will create role models for African scientists to lead research and development.
Last week, Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi led opposition MPs to inspect the facility in Matugga.