Merck Partners with Kenyan Firm to Establish Local Production of Pediatric Schistosomiasis Treatment
核心洞察
Merck (搜索) has formalized a technology transfer agreement with Universal Corporation Limited (搜索) to establish local production of arpraziquantel, a pediatric formulation for treating schistosomiasis (搜索) in children aged three months to six years.
The partnership aims to position Kenya as a regional pharmaceutical leader, with production expected to supply Sub-Saharan Africa from 2028 onwards, reducing dependence on donor supply chains.
Schistosomiasis (搜索) affects more than 250 million people globally with Africa carrying the heaviest burden, and Kenya has 17 of the 21 WHO-listed neglected tropical diseases.
German pharmaceutical giant Merck (搜索) has committed to transferring technology to Universal Corporation Limited (搜索), a Kenyan pharmaceutical firm, to enable local production of arpraziquantel, a pediatric formulation designed to treat schistosomiasis (搜索) in children aged three months to six years across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The partnership represents a significant milestone in addressing one of Africa's most devastating neglected tropical diseases. Schistosomiasis (搜索), also known as bilharzia (搜索), affects more than 250 million people globally, with Africa carrying the heaviest disease burden. The parasitic worm infection is spread through contact with contaminated freshwater and poses a major public health challenge, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Strategic Partnership for Regional Health Security
Hong Chow, Head of China and International at Merck (搜索), emphasized that the collaboration extends beyond medicine production to encompass knowledge transfer, technical expertise, and positioning Kenya as a regional leader in pharmaceutical innovation. "We are making this effort to advance African pharmaceutical production, aligning with the regional push for self-dependence in health in the wake of shrinking global health funding," Chow stated during a meeting with Universal Corporation Limited (搜索) officials in Nairobi.
Since 2007, Merck (搜索) has maintained a partnership agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO), manufacturing arpraziquantel in Germany and distributing it free of charge throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. The technology transfer to Kenya marks a strategic shift toward regional manufacturing capability and long-term health security.
Local Manufacturing Capacity and Expertise
Universal Corporation Limited (搜索), established in 1996, brings substantial experience to the partnership. The company achieved WHO prequalification in 2011 and has previously collaborated with UNICEF to produce anti-HIV generics for children, which have been distributed across 22 African countries.
Palu Dhanani, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Corporation Limited (搜索), confirmed the company's readiness for the technology transfer. "We have the capacity to meet the requirements set out by Merck (搜索). We have medical doctors and pharmacists within our team of 500 employees," he noted.
Addressing Kenya's Disease Burden
Dr. Wickliffe Omondi, Assistant Director of Kenya National Public Health Institute (搜索) and Head of Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, highlighted Kenya's significant disease burden, noting that the country has 17 of the 21 WHO-listed neglected diseases. Bilharzia (搜索) is particularly widespread in Kenya, with presence in Western, Eastern, Lake Victoria, Coastal regions, and hot spots in North Eastern Kenya.
Kenya has been actively combating the disease since 2012 through massive control and eradication campaigns. Dr. Omondi noted that in its chronic phase, bilharzia (搜索) significantly affects productivity by impacting reproductive organs. The country completed a comprehensive burden assessment last year through granular mapping surveys conducted in 1,450 wards across health facilities and five primary schools in endemic regions.
Production Timeline and Regional Impact
Universal Corporation Limited (搜索) is preparing to manufacture arpraziquantel at scale following completion of Merck (搜索)'s technology transfer. Once production is established and regulatory procedures are completed, the company will be positioned to supply across Sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring sustainable, regionally based access from 2028 onwards.
Dr. Karim Bendhaou, Merck (搜索)'s Head of Africa Bureau, emphasized the partnership's broader significance. "We are proud that Kenya is developing the infrastructure, expertise, and regulatory excellence needed to make Africa's manufacturing future a reality," he stated. The initiative demonstrates how science, community, and partnership can enable African leadership in fighting neglected tropical diseases.
Implementation and Access Strategy
The pediatric arpraziquantel formulation is being introduced through implementation research studies via the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium (搜索)'s ADOPT program. This approach aims to identify optimal methods and platforms for reaching preschool-aged children, including integration into community-based mass drug administration campaigns and child health days.
Sebastian Groth, German Ambassador to Kenya, noted that the partnership strengthens Africa's medicine production capacity amid increasingly scarce global resources due to geopolitical changes. The technology transfer will build local expertise, create skilled jobs, and strengthen Kenya's pharmaceutical sector while ensuring faster access to treatments with reduced dependence on distant donor supply chains.