Bio Usawa Biotechnology Ltd. and Bioeq AG announced a groundbreaking partnership on July 1, 2025, that will bring ranibizumab biosimilar therapy to millions across Sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement grants Bio Usawa exclusive rights to register and commercialize Bioeq's ranibizumab biosimilar under the brand name BioUcenta™, marking a critical advancement in democratizing access to essential biologic therapies for serious retinal diseases.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
Ranibizumab, a biosimilar to Lucentis®, is a monoclonal antibody used to treat diabetic macular edema (DME), wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and other blinding retinal diseases. While this breakthrough therapy has been transforming lives in higher-income countries for nearly 20 years, patients across Africa have been denied access due to prohibitive costs and limited availability.
"By making ranibizumab accessible in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are empowering doctors to save the vision of millions, particularly those suffering complications from diabetes—a disease that is quietly but rapidly becoming one of Africa's greatest health threats," said Dr. Menghis Bairu, Co-founder, President and CEO of Bio Usawa.
Growing Diabetes Crisis in Africa
Africa faces an escalating diabetes epidemic that threatens millions with preventable vision loss. According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 24 million Africans were living with diabetes in 2024, with that number projected to double by 2050. Diabetic retinopathy, a leading complication of diabetes, threatens the sight of up to one-third of these patients. Without timely intervention, many will face blindness—an outcome that is both preventable and tragic.
Therapeutic Mechanism and Approval Status
BioUcenta™ is administered via intravitreal injection and works by blocking abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina and preventing fluid leakage—two key causes of vision loss. The biosimilar has already been approved in both Europe and the United States and will now be registered and distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa by Bio Usawa.
"Our partnership with Bio Usawa is core to our commitment to expanding global access to essential medicines," said Martin Huber, Managing Director of Bioeq AG. "Together, we are breaking down the barriers that have denied effective treatment for serious retinal diseases to patients across Sub-Saharan Africa for too long. Bringing a high-quality, affordable ranibizumab biosimilar to this region is a significant step towards health justice."
Model for Global Health Equity
The collaboration represents more than a commercial agreement—it establishes a new paradigm for addressing healthcare disparities between developed and developing regions. "This collaboration is about equity," added Dr. Bairu. "Access to advanced biologic therapies should not be a privilege of geography or income. We are proud to work with Bioeq to make this a reality for Africa—ensuring that patients, regardless of where they live, can receive the care they deserve."
The agreement marks the initial fulfillment of Bio Usawa's mission to democratize access to high-quality, affordable, and proven biotherapies in low-middle income countries. By establishing local capabilities and partnerships, the initiative creates a foundation for broader access to essential medicines across the continent.
The partnership demonstrates how innovative collaborations can bridge the gap between life-saving medical advances and the patients who need them most, rather than accepting that cutting-edge treatments remain exclusive to wealthy nations.
