Dei BioPharma, a Ugandan biotechnology and pharmaceuticals company, has been named the Best Pharma Company at the 2024 African Excellence Awards.
These prestigious awards, organized by London-based MEA Markets Magazine, recognize outstanding businesses and individuals across Africa.
Celebrating African Excellence
Now in its seventh year, the African Excellence Awards aim to honor businesses that demonstrate exceptional achievements, a strong commitment to innovation, and a significant influence on their respective industries.
Kaven Cooper, the awards coordinator, commended Dei BioPharma for its role in promoting excellence, a critical need for Africa’s development.
“I’m consistently impressed by the excellence we discover throughout Africa, an ever-evolving continent rich in innovation and client-focused services,” said Cooper.
He added that the awards are designed to highlight the highest achievements across various sectors, showcasing businesses that have made substantial contributions to Africa’s development.
Recognizing Diverse Contributions
The African Excellence Awards 2024 included a wide range of businesses, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large multinational corporations, all of which have made a notable impact on the continent.
The awards span multiple industries, reflecting the diverse contributions to Africa’s economic and social advancement.
Dei BioPharma’s Milestone Achievement
Dei BioPharma was recognized for its development of a cutting-edge biological drugs and vaccine manufacturing facility in Matugga, Wakiso district.
This facility, which has already created thousands of professional jobs, is set to become the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Uganda.
It will also be the country’s first biotechnology firm to introduce advanced technologies, including mRNA, gene therapy, novel vaccines, and recombinant drugs, all of which adhere to stringent regulatory good manufacturing practices.
Upcoming Launch and Global Ambitions
Scheduled for a commercial launch in October, Dei BioPharma has already submitted its research products for review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Dr. Matthias Magoola, the founder and CEO of Dei Group of Companies, expressed his gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni and the Ugandan government for their unwavering support of local scientists.
“Without President Museveni’s resilient support and belief in this vision, these achievements in Uganda would not have been possible,” Magoola stated. He emphasized that Dei BioPharma’s success marks the beginning of Africa’s first independent full-scale biotech facility, a significant milestone for Uganda and the continent.
Innovating for Africa’s Future
Magoola was also recognized for his innovative work in advanced therapies, including the development of the first US-patented chemical drug for malaria and the first mRNA universal vaccine against the disease.
Dei BioPharma’s plant, projected to cost approximately $1 billion (about UGX 3.7 trillion), represents a substantial investment in making critical therapies, such as anticancer drugs and novel vaccines targeting African infections, more accessible to the continent.
“These contributions from Uganda will inspire other African scientists to lead research and development, rather than being limited to outdated technologies,” Magoola said.
Other Notable Winners
In addition to Dei BioPharma, other winners at the 2024 African Excellence Awards included Adeptal Limited from Nigeria, recognized as the Best Water and Wastewater Treatment Solutions Provider; the International Centre for Humanitarian Affairs from East Africa, awarded for being the Most Dedicated Humanitarian Affairs Research Organisation; and QuaLabels Manufacturers PLC from Ethiopia, named the Best Beer Labels and Flexible Packaging Manufacturer of the year, among others.
