Aspen Pharmacare Eyes Mpox Vaccine Production Amid African Outbreak

Aspen Pharmacare, an African drugmaker, is negotiating with partners to produce mpox vaccines. With the World Health Organization declaring the outbreak a global health emergency, Africa faces mounting pressure to curb the spread. The company is setting specific preconditions for the production to ensure feasibility and coverage.

African drugmaker Aspen Pharmacare is in discussions with partners to produce mpox vaccines at its facilities, according to CEO Stephen Saad. The initiative comes as Africa grapples with a dangerous outbreak of the infection, declared a global health emergency by the WHO in mid-August.

Over 22,800 mpox cases and 622 deaths have been reported across 13 African nations this year, per the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Saad, discussing the matter without disclosing specific partners, emphasized the company's capability and readiness to manufacture the vaccine.

However, to avoid the pitfalls experienced during the COVID-19 vaccine production, Aspen demands commitments to volume and financial support for technological transfers to its facility, Saad noted. Mpox, spreading through close contact, is usually mild but can be fatal in rare instances, causing flu-like symptoms and lesions.

(With inputs from agencies.)