Latest news with #CodixBio
TimesLIVE
20-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Nigerian company to make HIV, malaria test kits after US funding cut
Nigerian manufacturer Codix Bio Ltd plans to make millions of HIV and malaria test kits at its new plant outside Lagos for the local and regional market to help fill gaps in the wake of cutbacks at US donor agency USAID, a company executive says. The US, the world's largest humanitarian aid donor, has cut funding for foreign assistance, half of which is delivered via USAID. The US support to Nigeria, which reached $740m (R13.37bn) in 2024 based on USAID data, is focused on preventing malaria and curbing HIV as well as delivering vaccines to local health centres across the country. It is not yet clear how Nigeria will be affected by the cuts. The Nigerian government has said it will raise funds to continue some of the programmes that donors supported. Codix Bio general manager Olanrewaju Balaja said the company will roll out kits later this month from its plant in partnership with the South Korean pharmaceutical producer SD Biosensor and support from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The plant has an initial capacity to produce 147-million kits annually, but this can be expanded to over 160-million.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Nigerian company to make HIV, malaria test kits after US funding cut
LAGOS, June 19 (Reuters) - Nigerian manufacturer Codix Bio Ltd plans to make millions of HIV and Malaria test kits at its new plant outside Lagos for the local and regional market to help fill gaps in the wake of cutbacks at U.S. donor agency USAID, a company executive said. The United States, the world's largest humanitarian aid donor, has cut funding for foreign assistance, half of which is delivered via USAID. The U.S. support to Nigeria, which reached $740 million in 2024 based on USAID data, is focused on preventing malaria and curbing HIV as well as delivering vaccines to local health centres across the country. It is not yet clear how Nigeria will be affected by the cuts. The Nigerian government has said it will raise funds to continue some of the programmes that donors supported. Codix Bio general manager Olanrewaju Balaja said the company will roll out kits later this month from its plant in partnership with the South Korean pharmaceutical producer SD Biosensor and support from the World Health Organization. The plant has an initial capacity to produce 147 million kits annually, but this can be expanded to over 160 million. "From the statistics of what is supplied (by USAID and PEPFAR) for a specific programme year, and looking at what we have currently in capacity for Nigeria, we have enough capacity to meet the demand," Balaja told Reuters. He said if the company scaled up operations, "we can go to West and Sub-Saharan Africa, including other African countries." Nigeria has the highest burden of malaria globally, according to WHO, with nearly 27% of the global burden. The country also has the world's fourth highest burden of HIV, according to UNAIDS. "The focus was for us to be able to play in the field of supply of rapid diagnostic test kits for donor agencies, which particularly USAID was at the forefront," Balaja added. Balaja said the Nigerian government and donor agencies like Global Fund were expected to purchase test kits from Codix Bio.
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria to begin local production of malaria, HIV test kits
In a strategic move to improve healthcare access to diagnostics and reduce dependence on the importation of in-vitro diagnostic kits, Codix Pharma, a Nigerian pharmaceutical company, is set to commission Codix Bio. Codix Bio is the company's second in-vitro diagnostics factory in Nigeria, dedicated to the manufacture of rapid diagnostic test kits for Malaria, HIV, HIV/Syphilis Combo, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, amongst others. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for both the company and Nigeria's healthcare sector, as nearly 100 percent of the rapid diagnostic test kits used in Africa have been imported from regions such as Europe, North America, and Asia. Speaking on the launch, Business Development Manager at Codix Pharma, Mary Ogangwu, noted that local manufacturing has been virtually nonexistent, primarily due to high barriers to entry, including strict quality requirements and expertise gaps. As a result, the country has long struggled with the constant need for quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare, largely due to over-reliance on imported healthcare products, which not only drives up costs but also limits the availability of essential services. She said, 'The effect of this is that we have more people who are unable to access or even afford what is needed to improve the quality of their health. This spans accurate diagnostics, treatment medications, and preventive care.' However, with the launch of Codix Bio, this initiative becomes part of a broader continental agenda to localise production and build a sustainable health system, contributing to the WHO's broader vision. She stated, 'By building and operationalising local IVD manufacturing, we are not only addressing Nigeria's healthcare needs but also reinforcing Africa's collective capacity to stand resilient against global health challenges and provide solutions that last and are reliable.' Ogangwu applauded the Federal Government's support for local pharmaceutical manufacturing through initiatives like the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), and Executive Orders waiving import duties on pharmaceutical equipment, adding that this is a clear sign that Nigeria is transitioning from being a consumer of healthcare to a producer. Speaking on adherence to global standards, the General Manager of Plant Operations at Codix Bio, Olanrewaju Balaja, noted that the kits are subject to stringent quality control measures to meet international standards.
