Pharmaceutical manufacturer Biovac has opened a new product development laboratory in Cape Town, marking a major step towards full vaccine manufacture in South Africa.
The high-tech facility, backed by the government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation along with private sector, aims to boost local vaccine innovation and strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to health emergencies.
There are 40 scientists working in the laboratory.
Biovac CEO Dr Morena Makhoana says the laboratory will be able to manufacture materials from scratch and can produce about 20 million doses currently.
Dr Makhoana believes that Africans doctors should not only manufacture products but they also must develop them.
Dr Nomalungelo Gina, Deputy Minister @dstigovza has arrived at @biovac_inst for the opening of Biovac’s new product development laboratory in Cape Town. The newly established high-tech laboratory positions South Africa a step closer to achieving end-to-end vaccine manufacturing… pic.twitter.com/grBbO1cQ7T
— Veronica Mohapeloa (@ma_mohapeloa) November 6, 2025
