NUMS Pakistan to Manufacture Halal Vaccines in Collaboration with Saudi Vax in Pakistan
PRESS RELEASE
NUMS Pakistan to Manufacture Halal Vaccines in Collaboration with Saudi Vax in Pakistan
A delegation of National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) lead by its Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Prof Dr Wasim Alamgir (Retd) called on Prof. Dr. Mazen M. Hassanain Managing Director (MD) of SaudiVax, a leading Saudi biologics and biotechnology company of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Extensive strategic discussions were held, which will help NUMS to develop capability for indigenous manufacture and marketing of halal vaccines and biosimilars in Pakistan and adjoining Muslim countries.
The Pakistani delegation also included Maj Gen Prof Dr Saleem Ahmed Khan (Retd) Executive Director (Research & Commercialization) NIASR, Mr Jaweed Akhter Provost (Strategic Planning & Development) and Dr Lubna Jamal Honorary Consultant for biosimilars.
The production and self-reliance in halal vaccines & biosimilars was considered essential for health security in Pakistan as well as in Muslim countries & populations world-wide; especially after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic compounded by climate change and the resulting health challenges faced by low and middle-income countries.
Prof Dr Mazen M. Hassanain MD SaudiVax emphasized that Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and Saudi Government is very keen on development of such capabilities in KSA and other Muslim countries, achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The Vice Chancellor NUMS and MD SaudiVax formulated a plan and inked a Memorandum of Collaboration to establish National Centre for Manufacturing of Biotherapeutics (NCMB); a vaccine & biosimilars manufacturing facility in Pakistan, coupled with Transfer of Technology, with funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and other potential sources.
IsDB had requested NUMS, being one of the largest research-based healthcare universities in Pakistan, to give a detailed briefing on “Overcoming Climate Change Challenges in Human Health: The Case of Pakistan”.
After the detailed presentation by Mr Jaweed Akhter, reflecting devastating effects of climate change on health in Pakistan, Mr Amer Bukvic Act. Director General (Global Practice & Partnership Directorate) IsDB assured VC NUMS that the bank would provide Pakistan with all possible support to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on health.
VC NUMS highlighted the importance of NCMB for Pakistan and to meet regional needs in the future. He also emphasized the importance of halal certification of polio and other vaccines as a tool for overcoming vaccine hesitancy in Muslim countries.
Dr Essam AlJindy Project Director and Dr Ashraf Dehlavi head of technical training at SaudiVax along with Mr Jaweed Akhter gave a detailed briefing to Dr Ammar Abdo Ahmed IsDB Chief Health and his team indicating the salients of the proposed collaboration between NUMS and SaudiVax.
Dr Ammar Abdo Ahmed Chief Health of IsDB supported establishment of NCMB in Pakistan and promised to extend support to attract more funding agencies and make the centre a success.
Mr Anasse Aissami Act. Vice President Operations of IsDB highlighted bank’s continued financial support to Pakistan’s health sector, especially the funding of US$ 100 million for polio eradication in the current year. He also appreciated the NCMB project for manufacturing of halal vaccines and biosimilars in Pakistan and assured support of IsDB being in line with its objectives.
In a separate meeting with Dr Ammar and his team, Mr Jaweed Akhter also showcased Phase-1 of NUMS Medical City project comprising 600 beds hospitals, medical institutes and other allied facilities at Islamabad, Pakistan. IsDB team showed keen interest in the project coupled with arrangement of its funding under Public Private Partnership mode.
The NUMS team also called on Counsel General of Pakistan in Jeddah and briefed him of the NUMS delegation’s visit objectives. VC NUMS thanked the Counsel General Mr Khalid Majeed and Consulate staff for the facilitation and support, which greatly contributed towards success of the visit.
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