By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African-American business tycoon Patrick Soon-Shiong has announced the launch of an SA Covid-19 and cancer vaccine initiative.
Last night, Soon-Shiong announced that his company had partnered with Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape to set up the biggest genomics facility in Africa – the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI).
The South Africa-born scientist said the centre will do research on developing a cancer vaccine and a new Covid-19 vaccine.
The centre is a collaboration among NantAfrica, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Medical Research Council, and the Universities of Cape Town, Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch and KwaZulu-Natal. It will be led by Professor Tulio de Oliveira.
De Oliveira said CERI will allow genomics technologies to be used in real-time, to trace and respond to epidemics and pandemics in Africa.
“We are really excited to partner with Dr Soon-Shiong to set up the largest genomics facility on the African continent,” he said.
The centre is expected to improve genomic sequencing on the continent.
Soon-Shiong also announced that he would launch clinical centres of excellence for the treatment of cancers and infectious diseases, such as Covid-19, HIV/AIDS and TB, at the Universities of Cape Town, Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch and KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking at the launch, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the announcement was “a game-changer for our country”.
Ramaphosa said the clinical centres of excellence were important for South Africa because of the high rates of cervical cancer.
“This comes at a time when the rate of cervical cancer is growing. In South Africa, it is higher than the global average.”
He said he hoped the centres would train local oncologists.
Soon-Shiong said the collaboration was a way for him to give back to South Africa – and the continent.
Prof Glenda Gray, president and CEO of SAMRC, said: “The SAMRC‘s mission is to fund and conduct research that changes the lives of South Africans. SAMRC has partnered with Dr Soon-Shiong in launching Covid-19 clinical trials in SA and looks forward to the development of next-generation vaccines and centres of excellence for patients with infectious diseases and cancer.”
Gray added: “This collaboration will increase resources and opportunities to do just that. Cancer and infectious disease contribute substantially to the burden of disease in our country. Finding innovative ways to curb mortality is critical to the health of our nation.”
The vice-chancellors of the various universities also welcomed the initiative.