Dei BioPharma Secures Supplier Status with Africa CDC's Procurement Mechanism

Dei BioPharma Ltd, a Ugandan biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturer, has officially qualified as a supplier for the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM). This continental platform, coordinated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), aims to centralize procurement for health products across African nations.

The APPM registration, confirmed by the Africa CDC’s Director of APPM, Dr. Mariatou Tala Jallow, signifies that Dei BioPharma has met the necessary technical requirements to be a participating supplier. This accreditation provides the Ugandan firm with access to a framework designed to aggregate demand, enhance purchasing power, and improve the reliability of medical supplies for member countries.

For Dei BioPharma, founded by Dr. Matthias Magoola, this development aligns with its strategy to expand beyond Uganda’s domestic market. The company has a robust product pipeline, with 65 applications submitted to Uganda’s National Drug Authority, 40 of which are approved for manufacture and 14 for sale. Their manufacturing complex in Matugga, Wakiso District, is equipped to produce a range of products, including conventional medicines, injectables, oncology treatments, biological medicines, biosimilars, diagnostics, and vaccines.

This achievement supports the African Union’s ambitious goal to source at least 60 percent of the continent’s health product needs from within Africa by 2040. Pooled procurement mechanisms like APPM are crucial for this vision, helping to create more predictable markets for local manufacturers and reduce reliance on external suppliers. Previous APPM tenders have shown significant cost savings and improved supply security.

While the registration opens doors, Dei BioPharma’s individual products will still need to meet specific regulatory, technical, and quality standards for procurement. Among the company’s notable products are HYXUREA (hydroxyurea 500 mg) for sickle-cell disease and TRENMIC (tranexamic acid 500 mg) for bleeding management, addressing significant health challenges in Africa.

Dei BioPharma’s broader objective is to develop accessible biological medicines and advanced health technologies, contributing to Africa’s self-sufficiency in healthcare. This registration positions Uganda to potentially leverage its growing domestic manufacturing capacity within a wider continental market. The success of such initiatives hinges on translating manufacturing capabilities into sustained production, regulatory compliance, competitive pricing, and market access.

Source: Nile Post