💊 Kenya looks to buy drugs locally; Gates Foundation funds mRNA tech for Africa; Lancet says strokes will kill many

#446 | A new drug for epilepsy; A new drug for cancer; A need for shade

Hello, and welcome back to The Kable for a short, sweet, and always significant debrief on everything that's shaking in the life sciences.

First up, Morocco's leading pharmaceutical firm, Sothema, is exploring partnerships to establish a facility in east Africa, aiming to expand its footprint in the continent, with a focus on high-value products related to oncology and diabetes. This move follows its previous expansion into Senegal and comes as the company also delves into cannabis-based treatments for pain and epilepsy.

In Kenya, the cabinet has directed the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority to prioritise locally produced pharmaceuticals over imports to support local manufacturing. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to negotiate the Pandemic Treaty with the WHO, addressing vaccine inequalities, and the implementation of a project to enhance health emergency preparedness.

The health ministers of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in health care, specifically focusing on technology transfer for vaccine production and exchanging expertise. This decision was made during a meeting at the WHO's Regional Committee event in Cairo, with further collaborations discussed in nursing, paramedics, and support for Pakistan's health initiatives.

Saudi Arabia's SaudiVax is collaborating with Minapharm Pharmaceuticals and Germany's MiGenTra to advance healthcare solutions and meet the demand for biologics in the Middle East, aiming to capitalise on combined expertise for business opportunities in the region.

And finally, yesterday, Cambodia recorded its second human death due to bird flu this year. Today makes it number three.