Wits-educated billionaire launches R3-billion vaccine development project in SA
- Wits University
It will help to establish two research centres to boost cancer and vaccine research at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Wits University alumnus and South African-born biotech billionaire, Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, has officially launched the ambitious R3-billion initiative to build capacity for advanced health care in Africa.
Wits is one of the leading universities to benefit from this partnership that will focus on the rapid clinical development of next generation vaccines for infectious diseases, including 沙巴体育官网_2024欧洲杯博彩app@ vaccines, and cancer at centres of excellence across the country.
Wits has already identified the establishment of a new Centre of Excellence in Oncology and the Wits Infectious Diseases Research Institute in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The initiative is driven by NantAfrica, a division of NantWorks which is Soon-Shiong’s multinational, California-based conglomerate that is leading the digital revolution in healthcare, technology and media through the harnessing of science, digital infrastructure, supercomputing and communication.
“Wits University is honoured to partner with NantWorks to advance the research and clinical development of vaccines, and training and technological innovation in oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, molecular medicine, and related disciplines, in Africa. This will ultimately result in improving the lives of many people,” says Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Shabir Madhi, a vaccinologist, and world-leader in his field.
“This collaboration will provide further growth in the world-class research undertaken by Wits scientists in the field of infectious diseases, and provide opportunities for cutting edge research in the field of immunotherapy in the management of cancer.”
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, welcomed the collaboration, saying this relationship is “particularly special as both Dr Soon-Shiong and his wife Michelle are Wits alumni, who met on our campus.”
“This collaboration speaks directly to the priorities of Wits University as we approach our centenary – to improve health care using the latest technology and innovation, to benefit broader society, and to advance the public good. We look forward to working with the team to conduct research at the frontiers of science, that addresses the pressing challenges of the 21st Century, and that ultimately advances better healthcare for humanity,” says Vilakazi.
Professor Shabir Madhi had a discussion with Dr Soon-Shiong in March 2021 about COVID-19, his thoughts and ideas on vaccine development in South Africa, and how scientists can be engaged.
NantAfrica also wants to tap South African medical expertise in treating diseases that are prevalent in the country such as HIV, tuberculosis, human papillomavirus and cervical cancer.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa it’s an opportunity to address the public health challenges experienced in South African and the continent and leapfrog to cutting edge technology.
“It is a game changer for our country. This technology transfer, including manufacturing biologics, will reinforce vaccine equity sorely needed globally,” he said during the online media conference.
NantAfrica also wants to tap South African medical expertise in treating diseases that are prevalent in the country such as HIV, tuberculosis, human papillomavirus and cervical cancer.
Read the full press release here.