Empowering Africa: IPD Joins Forces with NIBRT to Shape the Future of Biopharma Training

Dublin, Ireland, 28 May 2024 – In a significant step towards bolstering Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities, the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) have entered into a strategic partnership agreement. This partnership, established within the context of IPD’s efforts to create a Regional Biomanufacturing Training Hub and made possible through the support of the Mastercard Foundation, marks a pivotal moment for the African continent as it strives to locally increase vaccine manufacturing to meet the growing demand for essential vaccines.

Amidst the pressing need for vaccine sovereignty, the African Union has set a goal to ramp up vaccine manufacturing to meet 60% of the demand by 2040. Additionally, Senegal has targeted producing 50% of its pharmaceutical products locally by 2035. To meet these ambitious targets, the Africa CDC has highlighted the crucial need for a skilled workforce across all levels of education, estimating an additional 14,000 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) needed by then.

Recognising the crucial role of human capital development in biomanufacturing, IPD launched the Madiba Workforce Development initiative in 2023 with the support of the Mastercard Foundation. This initiative aims to address the workforce shortage in Senegal by supporting Madiba – a state-of-the-art platform designed for end-to-end vaccine R&D, manufacturing, and human capital development. In collaboration with the Africa CDC, IPD’s Regional Biomanufacturing Training Hub will train and place 300 to 800 individuals annually, with a particular focus on young people and women, fostering long-term sustainability in the biomanufacturing industry.

A key component of this partnership is the access to NIBRT’s expertise in biopharma training and education. The partnership with NIBRT will provide access to over 15 years of proven didactic material and a virtual academy offering a complete library of biomanufacturing training.

“We are thrilled to join forces with NIBRT in this transformative partnership that will revolutionize biopharma training in Africa. This collaboration is not just a significant milestone in our mission to empower Africa and shape the future of biomanufacturing on the continent; it also underscores our commitment to developing human capital. By providing advanced training and education, we aim to equip the next generation of biomanufacturing professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the African pharmaceutical industry” said Dr Amadou Alpha Sall, CEO of IPD.

Welcoming the partnership NIBRT CEO Darrin Morrissey commented “NIBRT are delighted that the Institut Pasteur de Dakar (IPD) will now join the NIBRT Global Partner Programme. The Programme provides access and support to our award-winning curriculum to ensure trainees receive best-in-class training on all aspects of biopharma manufacturing. NIBRT is especially pleased to be supporting the IPD team in their mission to increase vaccine manufacturing throughout Africa.”

**End of press release**

About NIBRT:

The National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) is a global centre of excellence for training and research in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. NIBRT is located in a world class facility in Dublin, Ireland. This facility is purpose built to closely replicate a modern bioprocessing plant with state-of-the-art equipment and enables NIBRT to offer the highest quality training and research solutions. NIBRT’s mission is to support the growth and development of all aspects of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. For more information, please visit www.nibrt.ie.

About IPD:

IPD is a Senegalese not-for-profit foundation working to advance equitable access to health in Africa, especially in Senegal. We do this by providing communities with Healthcare Solutions and Laboratory services, engaging in cutting-edge Biomedical Research and Innovation, manufacturing Vaccines and Diagnostics essential to African populations, developing Human Capital, and engaging in Public Health activities such as epidemic intelligence, outbreak response, and surveillance. In a unique and innovative way, IPD brings together key capabilities and functions to address public health challenges in Africa. IPD plays an important regional role through its various specialized reference laboratories and its partnership with WHO in the fight against infectious diseases. IPD is one of the four WHO prequalified manufacturers to supply yellow fever vaccines to UN Agencies.

For more information, please visit www.InstitutPasteurDakar.sn and follow IPD via @PasteurDakar

Picture left to right: Darrin Morrissey (CEO, NIBRT), Marieme Sy Dia (Deputy Head Knowledge and Workforce for Africa Manufacturing Equity -KWAME- Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal), Micheál Martin (Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence), Killian O’Driscoll (Chief Commercial Officer, NIBRT) and Karine Belondrade (Director Partnerships & Communication, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal).

Media Contacts:

Name: Emer Norton

Title: NIBRT Marketing and Communications Manager

Email: emer.norton@nibrt.ie

Phone: +353 1 215 8100

Name: Marie Vianey Afangbedji

Title: Senior Communication Manager

Email: mailto:communications-ipd@pasteur.sn

Phone: +221 77 835 46 43