Africa Biotech Conversations

Africa’s life sciences sector is booming and there is an ongoing biotech startup revolution. Biotechnology is an industry focused on manipulating living organisms to create commercial products. It's hard to describe the exciting and mind-blowing scientific discoveries and medical innovations coming out of the African continent right now. So I decided to do a podcast in which I get the actors to tell their stories. Each episode will be packed with powerful information to excite, educate, enlighten, and encourage you. These breakthroughs are already beginning to change the world for example, the next breakthroughs in genetic research are expected to come out of my beloved continent. Join my guests as they tell us how their innovation is addressing challenges in health, agriculture, and environment. Experts estimate that the Biotech sector will surge beyond $775 billion in size by 2024. Africa is not getting left behind! Grab a front row seat and fasten your seat belt for this exciting ride. Smart students, academics, bioentrepreneurs, and investors will buckle up and learn as much as they can about navigating the journey from idea to market. But don't delay: subscribe to the podcast now and share with a friend.

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Legal Essentials for Biotech Startups 10/29/2024

OneBio Innovation Center: A Pioneering Space for Biotech Startups in Africa 09/16/2024

Proteinea: Pioneering the Development of the First Fully African-Originated Drug 08/10/2024

Proteinea: Pioneering the Development of the First Fully African-Originated Drug In this episode of the "Africa Biotech Conversations" podcast, host Adrienne Leussa interviews Abdulaziz El Gamal, the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Proteinea. Proteinea, based in Cairo and Boston, is a tech-bio company focused on leveraging AI to develop next-generation biologics, particularly antibodies with enhanced efficacy, safety, and convenience. Key Points from the Episode: Company Background: Proteinea was founded in early 2020, right before the global pandemic, which influenced its strategic direction and provided a real-time showcase of biotech's potential in health crises. Role of AI in Biotech: Abdulaziz discusses how AI is integral to Proteinea's operations, helping to streamline drug development processes and enabling the creation of more effective therapeutic solutions. Biotech in Africa: The discussion highlights the unique opportunities and challenges of growing the biotech industry in Africa. Abdulaziz emphasizes the potential for innovation despite the lack of a traditional biotech ecosystem, which Proteinea is helping to cultivate. Empowering Local Talent: Proteinea is committed to developing local talent by integrating expertise from the African diaspora and global biotech community, aiming to build a sustainable and innovative biotech hub in Egypt. Gender Equity and Company Culture: The episode also touches on Proteinea's approach to gender balance and inclusivity, noting significant female leadership within the company and a culture that promotes fairness and opportunity for all employees. Future Prospects: Looking forward, Abdulaziz shares his excitement about upcoming partnerships, new AI model releases, and the potential to develop the first fully African-originated drug, marking significant milestones for Proteinea and the African biotech sector. Overall, the episode paints a hopeful picture of biotech's future in Africa, with Proteinea at the forefront of this transformation, driven by innovative uses of AI, a commitment to local talent, and an inclusive corporate culture. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/32523447

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - The Art of Valuation for Early-Stage Biotech Startups 08/10/2024

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - The Art of Valuation for Early-Stage Biotech Startups The LinkedIn Live session, part of the AMA series on "The Art of Valuation," focused on valuation strategies for biotech startups at early and post-Series A stages. Moderated by Dr. Adrienne Leussa, the discussion featured finance experts Olufemi Elegbe, CFA and Sewu-Steve Tawia. Key highlights included the importance of financial literacy for biotech entrepreneurs, methods for accurately valuing biotech startups, and strategies for enhancing valuation after Series A. The session also emphasized the need for tailored communication when presenting valuations to investors and included practical advice on packaging a compelling narrative. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants explored how proper valuation techniques could attract investors, particularly in the African biotech ecosystem. The speakers underscored the significance of financial acumen, transparency, and the right valuation approach to ensure sustainable growth and investor confidence in biotech ventures. Notable quotes from the session: "Proper preparation leads to good results... this is your baby, and you want to get the best value out of it." - Femi Elegbe "Compare yourself not just to people around you but globally because Biotech is a global business." - Sewu-Steve Tawia Takeaways: Financial literacy is crucial for biotech entrepreneurs to effectively communicate with investors and understand the financial aspects of their business. Valuation is both an art and a science, combining data and modelling to determine the value of a biotech startup. Milestones such as passing clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approvals can significantly enhance the valuation of a biotech startup. Understanding key financial terms like revenue, EBITDA, and net profit is essential for entrepreneurs to navigate valuation discussions. Different valuation methods, such as discounted cash flow and venture capital methods, can be used to determine the value of a biotech startup. R&D costs can also be considered in valuation, providing a floor value based on the investment already made. Entrepreneurs should justify their valuations and be transparent about their assumptions. Storytelling and showcasing the value proposition are key components of a compelling valuation presentation. Packaging the presentation effectively and making it understandable to non-technical audiences is important. Women founders should be mindful of undervaluing themselves and capitalise on the opportunity cost of capital. Being well-prepared and presenting a strong case for valuation is crucial in attracting investors. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/32523327

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Understanding the Investment Ecosystem (Pre-seed Focus) 05/28/2024

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Building Investor Relations 05/28/2024

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Common Pitfalls in Securing Funding 05/28/2024

AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Where's the Money and How Do I Get It? 05/28/2024

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Your 2024 Biotech Growth Plan from Africa and Beyond 05/14/2024

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Navigating Funding and Investment 05/14/2024

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Biotechnology for Gender Equality 05/14/2024

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Biotechnology for Gender Equality Welcome to another special episode of the Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders series, dedicated to exploring the theme of biotechnology for gender equality. In this episode, we delve into the intersection of biotechnology and gender equality, discussing both the challenges and successes within this dynamic field. Our goal is to envision a future where biotechnology serves as a catalyst for positive change. Join us as we introduce our distinguished panelists: Dr. Sibongile Gumbi: Founder and CEO of Smart Biotech, South Africa, with a PhD in pharmacology, and numerous certifications in finance, intellectual property, and technology management. Dr. Sarah Carroll: Co-founder and CEO of Mari Health Solutions, South Africa, leveraging proteomics and bioinformatics to optimize aquaculture practices. Dr. Allama El Mehdi: CEO of Prophamedis International from Mauritania, a medical doctor with an MBA specializing in biotechnology and international business administration. Dr. Shameem Fawdar: Deputy CEO of Axonova Pharma Limited, Mauritius, with a PhD in stem cell and cancer biology. Throughout this episode, we explore: The remarkable achievements of these trailblazing women in the biotech industry. Personal stories and experiences of overcoming challenges in a traditionally male-dominated field. The role of mentorship and the importance of building networks for young women in biotech. How biotech innovations are addressing gender-specific health issues and empowering women economically. Insights on how men can support gender equality in the biotech sector. We also discuss the broader implications of gender equality in biotech, emphasizing the need for fair attitudes, open minds, and inclusive practices to drive innovation and societal growth. Stay Connected: Join the Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders LinkedIn page for updates on future episodes and events: Watch the video recording of this episode on YouTube: /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/31289477

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Exploring Leadership and Health Applications in African Biotech 05/14/2024

Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Unleashing the Potential of African Biotech 05/14/2024

Newform Foods: Innovating Africa's Food Industry with Cultivated Animal Products 01/31/2024

UNISA: Entrepreneurial Initiatives and Support 10/15/2023

UNISA: Entrepreneurial Initiatives and Support Dive into UNISA's efforts to integrate entrepreneurial skills among its students. Spotlight on the tech transfer office and its role in encouraging new ventures. 🎙 Guests: Mr. Sibusiso Malindisa: A decorated PhD candidate, lecturer, and biotech enthusiast with ambitions of establishing a biotech startup. Mr. Basanda Pongoma: The bridge between business and academia, representing UNISA's directorate of innovation, technology transfer, and commercialization. 🎙 Discussion Highlights: From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Sibusiso's journey and the influence of his background. The value of the scientific method in entrepreneurship. Importance of mentors in developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Bridging the Gap Between Research and Business: Basanda's transition from a researcher in chemistry to technology management. Managing the commercialization of IP from universities. Learning from Babson Build MBA Entrepreneurship Summer Program: Entrepreneurial concepts, from business models to marketing. Gorillas, Chimpanzees, and Monkeys analogy: Understanding the biotech market landscape. The Role of Collaboration in Growth: UNISA's push for international and local collaborations. Sibusiso's personal interactions with global entrepreneurs. Basanda's advice for fostering partnerships. Tapping into Africa's Biotech Potential: Sibusiso's insights on the future of biotech entrepreneurship in Africa, from precision medicine to agricultural innovations. South African Ecosystem Deep Dive: Infrastructure, funds, and policies already in place. The challenge: Making the ecosystem work efficiently. The role of universities, incubators, accelerators, and venture capitalists. Highlight on the innovation fund introduced by the department of innovation science. Concluding Thoughts: The power and importance of partnerships and collaboration. Harnessing the potential within universities and academic institutions. Listen, Learn, and be Inspired! /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/28319768

Axaitech: Africa's Edge in Harnessing Challenges as Catalysts for Global Biotech Innovation 08/24/2023

Axaitech: Africa's Edge in Harnessing Challenges as Catalysts for Global Biotech Innovation Africa stands at a unique intersection, characterised by its challenges, which simultaneously present opportunities for innovation, especially in the biotech sector. From energy to food security and healthcare, the continent's obstacles can be its biggest assets, positioning it as a key player in developing solutions that not only serve local needs but have the potential to revolutionise global industries. Listen in to explore how, by building from within, Africa's innovations can seamlessly scale and integrate into global solutions. Eugene Duvenage, CEO of Axaitech opens up about his transformative journey of bringing scientific innovation from the confines of the lab into the dynamic world of business. He touches upon the pivotal role of mentorship in his life and how seeking guidance from a successful figure outside the biotech sphere led him to an invaluable lesson: the essence of business is about focusing on people and not just passion for the product. The conversation then steers towards the present and future of biotech, with a particular emphasis on the role of AI and machine learning. Eugene offers a fresh perspective, warning against the over-glorification of AI and predicting a future where the focus shifts from the tool (AI) to its innovative applications in biotech. Eugene and the host, Dr Adrienne Leussa, ponder upon the road ahead for biotech in Africa and the rising concern of cancer in the continent. The role of both public and private sectors in supporting this journey is highlighted. This episode paints a vivid picture of biotech in Africa, from the inspiring journey of a passionate entrepreneur to the broader narrative of a continent poised at the cusp of innovation, driven by its unique challenges and opportunities. Next Episode Tease: Join us for another captivating episode as we continue to explore the multifaceted world of biotech in Africa, bringing stories of hope, innovation, and unwavering passion. --- Thank you for tuning into the Africa Biotech Conversations podcast. Share this episode and help spread the knowledge. We await you with another enriching conversation soon. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/27838647

ONE BIO: Building a Thriving Biotech Ecosystem in Africa 07/26/2023

ONE BIO: Building a Thriving Biotech Ecosystem in Africa In this episode of the Africa Biotech Conversations podcast, our host Dr Adrienne Leussa engages in a captivating discussion with Gian-Marco Melfi, a partner at One Bio Venture Studio. One Bio is a venture capital fund that focuses on investing in local biotech startups in Africa. Marco, a biomedical scientist with a background in biochemistry and biomedical sciences, shares his fascinating journey from research to startups and now investing and funding early-stage biotech companies. Marco discusses his experience at Cambridge University, where he supported biotech startups and spinouts through the Milner Therapeutics Institute. He highlights the advantages of building a biotech hub in Cape Town, South Africa, including the availability of talented scientific graduates and the potential for creating supportive ecosystems for startups. The two delve into the competitive advantage of building a biotech business in Africa, emphasising natural biodiversity and genetic diversity. Marco explains One Bio's approach to making first-time investments, focusing on competitive advantages, team dynamics, and advisory support to refine startup ideas. He underscores the importance of understanding the science behind investments and how the One Bio team's scientific background contributes to their success. The conversation also covered government involvement in the biotech industry in South Africa. Marco highlights the support mechanisms provided by the Department of Science and Innovation, such as soft grant funding and supporting funds and platforms. They discuss the thriving bioeconomy in South Africa and the significant role played by the government's bioeconomy strategy. Moving forward, Marco shares a story of one of their portfolio companies in the future of food or food tech space, showcasing their resilience in closing a pre-seed round with international investors. The challenges of raising international capital are explored, along with the tips and learnings gained from their fundraising journey. Marco emphasises the importance of building networks proactively and developing resilience and connections beyond scientific ideas. They stress the need for thorough preparation and the ability to answer technical, business development, financial, and budgeting questions. Marco reflects on his time studying biochemistry at Stellenbosch University, crediting senior biochemists' mentorship for solidifying his interest in the field. He also shares an inspiring story of a founder's dedication and determination witnessed in the Milner incubator. Marco discusses the commitment and sacrifice required to build a successful biotech company. He draws inspiration from notable biotech companies like Kappa Bio Systems and Gyroscope Therapeutics. Marco reveals One Bio's plans for expansion into other African countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. Crucial elements for a thriving biotech ecosystem are highlighted, including access to capital, support mechanisms, and talent. Marco emphasises the importance of shared access laboratories and support offerings to foster a sense of community among startups. He acknowledges the growing number of biotech startups in South Africa and other regions and emphasises the need to learn from other ecosystems while tailoring approaches to the local context. Tune in to this enlightening episode as Marco shares their expertise, experiences, and vision for the future of biotech in Africa. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/27569475

Nii Simmonds: Africa's Diaspora as a Force Multiplier for the Biotech Sector 06/25/2023

Nii Simmonds: Africa's Diaspora as a Force Multiplier for the Biotech Sector In this episode of Africa Biotech Conversations, host Adrienne Leussa welcomes Nii Simmonds, a non-resident fellow for the Atlantic Council and the Center for Global Development, based in Washington, DC. With a diverse background in pharmaceuticals, life sciences, consulting, and international development, Nii Simmonds emphasises the importance of supporting Africa's development and passing on skills to future African leaders. The discussion begins by exploring trends and opportunities for investors and biotech entrepreneurs in Africa, considering the challenges in the financial landscape. Nii Simmonds highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in healthcare systems and supply chains, but also presents opportunities for Africa to develop its own pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capabilities. Drawing inspiration from the success of India, Nii Simmonds suggests that Africa can learn from their achievements thanks to diaspora engagement. While acknowledging the difficulties in financing pharmaceutical ventures in Africa due to government-controlled healthcare systems, Nii Simmonds notes the growing interest in life sciences, pharma, and medical devices, with more skilled individuals from the diaspora returning to the continent. Africa's burgeoning population and rising disposable incomes are identified as significant market factors, and the continent's potential in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and leveraging its biodiversity is underscored. The conversation continues with a focus on the strategic plans of various governments over the past 50 years to engage the diaspora and leverage their experience for the benefit of India. Successful companies like Dr. Reddy’s and Ranbaxy in the pharmaceutical and life science space are highlighted as examples. Nii Simmonds emphasises the opportunities for African companies and entrepreneurs as the population grows and urban centres develop. He stresses the importance of health outcomes and the need for sophisticated capital markets in Africa. The episode provides guidance for African entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of building strong teams and finding the right support when raising capital. The potential for African entrepreneurs to integrate into global supply chains by supplying products and services is discussed. Nii Simmonds advises small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain experience and establish cash flow before venturing into niche markets like biopharmaceuticals. He advocates for focusing on addressing everyday challenges in Africa, such as malaria and food insecurity, before moving up the value chain. The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies on Africa is also explored. While acknowledging the enhancements in productivity and business reach that AI offers, Nii Simmonds highlights concerns about job displacement. They stress the need for an Africa-focused debate on how to harness AI in the context of African realities and challenges to drive development. Addressing fundamental needs such as food, education, and basic infrastructure is deemed essential before fully adopting AI. Finally, Nii Simmonds shares insights into advising and mentoring early-stage ventures, highlighting challenges such as building a strong advisory board, establishing governance structures, attracting talent, and raising capital. The higher costs and complexities involved in biotech and life science startups compared to consumer internet startups are emphasised. Join Adrienne Leussa and Nii Simmonds in this enlightening episode as they delve into the opportunities, challenges, and potential of Africa's biotech sector, discussing the importance of innovation, investment, and collaboration to drive sustainable development and improve health outcomes across the continent. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/27261432

Africa Bio: Championing the Use of Biotechnology for Health and Food Security in Africa 05/24/2023

Africa Bio: Championing the Use of Biotechnology for Health and Food Security in Africa In this episode of Africa Biotech Conversations, host Adrienne Leussa (PhD) interviews Dr. Nhlanhla Msomi, the president and chairman of Africa Bio, a nonprofit association advocating for biotechnology in Africa. Dr. Msomi shares his extensive experience and insights into the biotech sector and the objectives of Africa Bio. The conversation delves into Africa Bio's mission to defend and promote evidence-driven policies for biotechnology adoption, particularly in agriculture and healthcare. Dr. Msomi mentioned the need to address misconceptions surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the lack of availability of biosimilars in Africa's healthcare industry as some of the factors that brought Africa Bio into existence. The interview highlights the upcoming African Health Excon event, where Africa Bio is organising a Startup Stadium. The Startup Stadium aims to provide a platform for startups in the biotech and healthcare sectors to showcase their innovations and connect with potential partners and investors. Dr. Msomi discusses the expansion of the Startup Stadium concept to other regions in Africa, fostering local innovation and indigenous healthcare solutions. Dr. Msomi shares his vision for Africa Bio as a federation of innovation activists, with chapters established across the African continent to address regional agendas and drive innovation. The importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the role of startups in driving indigenous innovation are emphasised. You are encouraged to join Africa Bio, contribute to the growth of biotech in Africa, and stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives such as the 2023 Bio Africa Convention taking place from 1-6 September in Durban, South Africa. The episode concludes with a reflection on the exciting potential of biotech in Africa and the role it can play in solving indigenous healthcare challenges. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/26938839

Legendary Foods: Sustainable Nutrition Solutions 05/01/2023

Olink: Revolutionising Disease Research in Africa 03/31/2023

Olink: Revolutionising Disease Research in Africa In this episode of the Africa Biotech Conversation podcast, host Adrienne Leussa speaks with Cindy Lawley, Sr Director, Global Population Health of the Proteomics Company, Olink. Cindy shares insights on her background, the technology of Olink, and its potential impact on understanding genetic risks of diseases. In this episode, we learn of the first deployment of Olink’s technology on the African continent at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) in Cape Town, South Africa. Cindy joined Olink in 2020 soon after the launch of the Explore Platform that leverages Next Generation Sequencing as a high throughput proteomic readout. At Olink, she drives population health initiatives, working closely with the UK Biobank, FinnGen, SCALLOP and other large cohort studies. Prior to Olink, Cindy spent 14 years at Illumina and together with customers, she helped develop solutions to better understand genetic risk in diverse populations and holds several Excellence in Technology Transfer awards for her work leading Illumina’s Consortia Program. Cindy is passionate about innovation to make multiomic technologies easier and cheaper to measure. Such advances are essential to lower barriers to implement scalable, reproducible discoveries that can be translated to the clinic to drive individualized medicine and health equity. Main Topics Covered: Cindy Lawley's background and work with Illumina The importance of studying diverse populations to understand the impact of genetics to health The Olink platform as a scalable tool for protein analysis to understand disease phenotype Case studies of Olink’s use around the world The first deployment of the Olink technology on the African continent The potential advantages of employing proteomics in Africa’s biopharma startups. Career advice for women and recent graduates The human capacity and intellectual capabilities in the biotech space in Africa Links to publications mentioned in the interview: SCALLOP website: https://olink.com/our-community/scallop/ SCALLOP Nature Metabolism paper Folkersen et al 2020: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7611474/ 54gene preprint Biddanda et al 2022 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.12.09.519773v1 UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project Preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.06.17.496443v1 Cohen et al 2005 on PCSK9 and LDL in African population: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15654334/ /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/26406675

Utopic Ventures: Building Biotech Startups Like a Silicon Valley Tech Company 03/20/2023

Valley DAO: where blockchain, synthetic biology and community are shaping sustainability and the climate 03/12/2023

SynBio Africa: Sustainable biosynthetic technologies for Africa 03/07/2023

Next Sequence Venture Firm: The future will be shaped by the convergence of life science and computing technologies 02/05/2023

Next Sequence Venture Firm: The future will be shaped by the convergence of life science and computing technologies 2 to 4 trillion USD in 2030-40...is the potential direct annual global impact of an estimated pipeline of 400 currently scientifically achievable use cases of the Bio Revolution, according to a 2020 report by McKinsey & Company. This is going to be as a result of up to 60 percent of the physical inputs to the global economy being produced biologically—with nonbiological materials like plastics or fuels potentially being produced or substituted using biology. Biology will become the ultimate distributed, manufacturing platform. Bio-based industries will exchange expensive, complicated industrial chemical syntheses that use high temperatures, high pressures and toxic catalysts with cheaper, more resource efficient and less toxic biochemical syntheses. The Bio Revolution is fueled by a convergence of breakthroughs in biological science and faster development of computing, automation, and artificial intelligence. The Bio Revolution would transform what we eat and wear, the medicines we take, the fuels we use, and how we construct our physical world. Cognizant of these facts, my guest on the latest episode of the Africa Biotech Conversations podcast believes that “The future will be shaped by the convergence of life science and computing technologies” and has dedicated her investment thesis to synthetic biology startups. Loretta TIOIELA is the co-founder & Managing Partner of Next Sequence, a new venture firm incubated at VC Lab. Prior to starting Next Sequence, Loretta worked for over 12 years as a technologist in Cloud and A.I. technologies for major industry players such as Samsung and Huawei Technologies and she co-founded OpenSynBio, the 1st Open Computing Foundation for Synthetic Biology. In our conversation, we spoke about: Why she started the not-for-profit foundation, OpenSynBio and the Venture Firm, Next Sequence The global focus of Next Sequence What criteria does Next Sequence lean towards to vet entrepreneurs for investment Renowned investors targeting synthetic biology or tech bio companies The need for diversity in venture capital firms and investor community Loretta’s personal motivation for going into VC and recommendations for anyone interested in VC and becoming an investor. Please continue to share the link to our podcast with your network so that they can also get value out of the very insightful conversations. Don’t forget to rate the podcast to support our growth and the quality of future guests. /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/25834512

george james Ltd: executive recruitment capability targeted at SMEs 01/19/2023

Incas Diagnostics: local manufacturing of low-cost diagnostic products in Ghana 12/21/2022

Saberi Marais: Biotech innovation commercialization at Universities in South Africa 11/13/2022

Saberi Marais: Biotech innovation commercialization at Universities in South Africa In this episode I spoke to Saberi Marais, an Innovation Commercialization Manager for the University of Cape Town in South Africa; part of Research Contracts and Innovations. He commercializes the University’s research outputs to realize their intended impact in society and return on capital. Saberi has extensive experience in deep technology invention valorization, project and business fund raising, deal structuring, investment funds management through the different stages of technology development and Venture Capital. He is experienced in a variety of industry sectors; including inventions in healthcare, medical devices, human and animal vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, biotechnology, renewable energy and various software and hardware applications. He was awarded the coveted DSI/ SARIMA Award for Professional Excellence in Innovation Management in 2020. He is a member of the SA Startup Act Movement steering committee. His previous work roles included the Head of the Seed Fund Programme at the Technology Innovation Agency where he oversaw the implementation, management and pipeline growth of the early-stage technology-enabling Fund; he worked as a Business Development Manager at Innovus, Stellenbosch University; and the SA Medical Research Council’s Innovation team. Our very insightful conversation went quite in depth on several topics including: The role of universities in this whole innovation ecosystem Lessons learnt from the golden triangle in the UK and other ecosystems Examples of university spin out companies part of the biotech value chain in South Africa: Unistel medical laboratories from Stellenbosch university, Smart Spot from Wits university, Hyrax biosciences from UWC, Resyn biosciences from the CSIR, Cape Biopharms and Cape Biologics, Impulse biomedical from University of Cape town. Factors that set apart successful biotech startups and specifically university spin outs The IPR Act and other policies that govern the creation of biotech companies in South Africa The role of technology transfer offices at universities Various commercialization scenarios The evolution of the funding landscape in South Africa Trends to focus on in South Africa for a sustainable Biotech ecosystem in the near future /episode/index/show/africa-biotech-conversations/id/24991944

Iraka Biotech: a vaccine and surveillance diagnostic production company in Africa 10/23/2022

MariHealth Solutions - Aquaculture biotech solutions for a sustainable future 08/29/2022

Africa Biotech Conversations

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