South Sudan could explore partnerships with Chinese biotechnology institutions to develop local pharmaceutical production as the country remains heavily dependent on imported medicines.
Yili Yan, director of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology’s China Regional Research Centre, said the centre is open to working with African countries on vaccine development, biological medicines and diagnostic tools.
“We welcome collaborations,” Yan told Radio Tamazuj.
He said the centre could facilitate technology transfer for countries interested in producing vaccines, including those against human papillomavirus (HPV), a major cause of cervical cancer.
Yan also cited China’s insulin production as a potential source of more affordable treatment for African countries.
For South Sudan, local pharmaceutical manufacturing could help strengthen medicine supplies, but establishing production facilities would require substantial investment, skilled personnel, reliable infrastructure and effective regulatory oversight.
The centre also offers training and research opportunities for African scientists and has collaborated with institutions in countries including Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, its representatives said.
Yan said differing national regulations remains an obstacle to expanding pharmaceutical technology transfer across Africa.
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