Fluorobiotech is proud to announce its selection as a finalist in the prestigious 5th Cohort of the AUDA-NEPAD ‘Home Grown Solutions’ Accelerator for Pandemic Resilience. The program, which aims to strengthen Africa’s ability to respond to pandemics by supporting high-impact health innovations, received more than 200 written applications from 37 countries across the continent. Fluorobiotech’s inclusion in the final cohort underscores the growing recognition of its work in enabling local biomanufacturing and improving access to essential vaccine components.
The Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator is an initiative of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with technical support from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the impact investment group Villagro Africa. The program is designed to support African-led enterprises that are building scalable, sustainable solutions to improve healthcare outcomes and pandemic preparedness on the continent.
Fluorobiotech’s selection is a major milestone for the company, which has been pioneering local production of recombinant proteins and other critical raw materials used in mRNA vaccine manufacturing. These materials are typically imported at high cost and with unpredictable supply chains – issues Fluorobiotech is working to overcome through innovation and regional capacity-building.
“We are honored to be selected for this year’s cohort and look forward to leveraging the program to deepen our impact and scale our technology,” said Dr Du Preez van Staden, CEO of Fluorobiotech. “Being recognized alongside other African innovators tackling pandemic resilience is a powerful affirmation of our mission and progress.”
As part of the onboarding process, Fluorobiotech was recently visited by Esther Wanjiro and Jackson Mbhata from Villagro, who spent time engaging with the team and touring the company’s facility. The visit marked the start of what is expected to be a valuable advisory relationship, with Villagro and BCG offering tailored guidance and mentorship throughout the program.
“We’re deeply grateful for the warm welcome into the program and the thoughtful engagement from the Villagro team. Their insights will be instrumental as we take a closer look at the various facets of our company, from strategy and operations to market positioning and scale-up potential,” added MJ van Vuuren, CCO at Fluorobiotech.
As the program progresses, Fluorobiotech will participate in a series of strategy sessions, mentorship engagements, and knowledge-sharing events aimed at accelerating company growth and resilience. The opportunity further aligns with the company’s long-term goal of building a robust, self-sufficient biotechnology sector in Africa, capable of responding rapidly and effectively to emerging health threats.