SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) will welcome representatives from 16 African countries to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s (BIO) annual convention this year in San Francisco. Based on the success of BVGH’s multi-African country pavilion at the BIO Convention in 2015, which hosted five African countries, BVGH will triple the countries represented this year and expand Africa programming. There will be daily presentations at the Africa Pavilion in Moscone West, pavilion #7409, and more partnering one-on-one meetings with exhibitors.
“With 1.2 billion people, Africa is home to a growing middle class and some of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO, BIO and BVGH Board Chairman. “BVGH is committed to supporting life sciences on the continent and to helping scientists bring new cures, treatments, and agricultural advancements to the people of Africa. It says something powerful about our industry that we have representation from 16 African countries at this year’s BIO International Convention. We see so much promise and potential to work together to harness biotechnology in these nations to improve people’s lives.”
Nigeria’s recently appointed Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole stressed, “Nigeria has ambitious plans to build research and treatment centers of excellence that will expand access to medicines, including much needed oncology therapeutics. We look forward to partnering with BVGH to establish impactful partnerships with industry and academia around the globe.”
“The significant increase in African participation at the Convention shows the high level of interest and opportunity for partnership between the biotech/pharma industries and research institutes across Africa. The Pavilion will showcase research programs spanning infectious and non-communicable diseases as well as other areas for collaboration including clinical trials and business development,” said Jennifer Dent, President of BVGH. “Leading biopharmaceutical and life science companies see important market opportunities in many of the growing economies in the region as African countries seek access to the latest medicines and health care.”
Johnson & Johnson’s recent announcement highlights industry’s focus on the African continent for both corporate and social responsibility reasons. The pharmaceutical giant opened a new office in Cape Town and plans to expand its presence in the African continent through research collaborations, investments and partnering with local African researchers and entrepreneurs.
Among the countries exhibiting at the Africa Pavilion will be Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
James Greenwood, BIO President and CEO, will officially open the Africa Pavilion in Moscone West, pavilion #7409, on Tuesday June 7th at 11:40 am.
Jennifer Dent will moderate a panel session relevant to companies interested in learning more about non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Africa and access to medicines. The panel is part of a four-hour session, “Demystifying Africa.”
“Demystifying Africa,” June 7, 1:00pm-5:00pm Room North 124
Three sessions will center on changing stereotypes of doing business and medical research in African regions: South Africa, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.
“Sub-Saharan Africa: Non Communicable Diseases in Africa,” June 7, 3:30-4:30pm Rm North 124
The sub-Saharan Africa session will engage panelists representing biopharmaceutical companies that have incorporated Africa into their NCD strategies and global leaders with expertise and firsthand experience with Africa’s new, growing health challenge. The goal of this session is to profile NCDs in Africa and present opportunities for the biopharmaceutical industry to participate in efforts to curtail this rising health burden.
Global Innovation Hubs, June 9, 11:00am-12:00pm, Room West 3010
Thursday, June 9th in Room West 3010 Africa Pavilion exhibitors from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe will give presentations about their research and opportunities to invest in their countries.
Africa Bilateral Meeting, June 7, 8:00am-9:30am Room 121
The Africa Bilateral Meeting will be a roundtable discussion with biopharmaceutical companies and key African representatives. The discussion will focus on how to build a framework through which industry and African governments/organizations can work together to improve access to medicines.
The Africa pavilion is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Celgene Corporation; Genentech, Inc.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Global Good, Intellectual Ventures; Janssen, the Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson; Just Biotherapeutics; Merck & Co., Inc.; Pfizer, Inc.; PhRMA; Sanofi; SCYNEXIS, Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Company; the US Pharmacopeial Convention; and Viamet Pharmaceuticals.
About BVGH
BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) is a results-oriented nonprofit organization dedicated to solving global health challenges by forming connections between people, resources, and ideas. BVGH is based in Seattle, Washington and was established in 2004 by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) to engage biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic companies in meaningful initiatives to impact global health.
Note to media: Interviews with African representatives can be arranged. Contact Katy Graef.
