Cancer and COVID-19 Vaccine Initiative Launches in South Africa

Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and NantAfrica, a division of NantWorks, announced on September 24, 2021, the official launch of an ambitious initiative to build capacity for advanced cancer and COVID-19 health care in Africa.
 
This initiative will partner with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
 
NantWorks LLC has signed a collaboration agreement with the CSIR and the SAMRC to initiate the transfer of biologic manufacturing technology for COVID-19 and cancer vaccines and next-generation cell-based immunotherapies.

This collaboration will enable the rapid clinical development of next-generation vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer at centers of excellence across the country.
 
"It has been a dream of mine, since I left the country as a young physician, to bring state-of-the-art, 21st-century medical care to South Africa and to enable the country to serve as a scientific hub for the continent," said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, founder and CEO of NantWorks.
 
"We are privileged to have the opportunity to bring 30 years of clinical, scientific, and advanced biological know-how to the country and establish much-needed capacity and self-sufficiency."
 
The partnership between NantWorks, the CSIR, and the SAMRC will expedite and expand the manufacturing of biologics, immunotherapeutic, and vaccines in South Africa through technology transfer and state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facilities.

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, is one of Africa's leading scientific and technology research, development, and implementation organizations. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, and industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za .

NantWorks is a multinational, California-based conglomerate that is leading the digital revolution in healthcare, technology, and media by harnessing science, digital infrastructure, supercomputing, and communication.