SA SIGNS DEAL WITH NOVARTIS
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, has welcomed the agreement signed between South Africa and Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceuticals company.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed recently between Novartis, the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in Cape Town.
The department said the MoU would be implemented within the framework of the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP).
Minister Pandor said the agreement would boost the volume and quality of clinical trials and build research capability on the continent.
SHIP is the department’s project implemented by the MRC to coordinate the development of new or adapt existing drugs, vaccines and other biologicals, diagnostics and medical devices for priority diseases or medical conditions in South Africa.
According to the DST, the agreement will allow for joint research programmes in selected communicable and non-communicable diseases, improve South African patients' access to innovative medicines and build the country and continent's research and development (R&D) capabilities.
The Minister said international cooperation such as the partnership with Novartis had been a consistently important aspect of national research and innovation programmes and strategies.
Dr Thomas Kowallik, Novartis South Africa CEO and Country President, said the company had made significant investments in R&D in the South African healthcare and pharmaceutical space in recent years and was firmly committed to continue doing so.
"As a global leader in R&D, employing 20 000 scientists worldwide and investing US$9 million in R&D every year, this ongoing collaboration has the potential to lead to breakthrough innovations stemming from South Africa.
– Source: SAnews.gov.za
