South African businessman Patrick Soon-Shiong opened a new vaccine plant in Cape Town on Wednesday, intended to help his local NantSA company make COVID-19 jabs.
The coronavirus pandemic has exposed a global lack of access to life-saving vaccines, particularly in Africa, where roughly 10% of the population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 compared to over half the world’s population.
Soon-Shiong, who is also a medical doctor, will transfer technology and materials from his California-based NantWorks to scientists in South Africa, where they will also work on vaccines targeting cancer, TB and HIV.
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“Africa should no longer be last in line to access vaccines against pandemics. Africa should no longer go cap in hand to the Western world, begging and begging for vaccines,” said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who attended the opening.
Soon-Shiong said he would transfer bioreactors stockpiled at his U.S. factories, with first production of vaccines seen later this year.
To ensure a pipeline of skilled workers, he has pledged 100 million rand ($6.5 million) for scholarships.
