NABDA Step-B Project

Project Overview

Biopharmaceutical research and, in particular, development of innovative drugs and vaccines require concentrated efforts on many levels, as well as multiple skills and expertise. Research collaborations between two or more Life Sciences organizations are therefore common in the biopharmaceutical industry. Increasingly, these collaborations can involve organizations from different countries and different continents, and in particular they now include partnerships between the public and the private sectors. When and where such partnership had become successful, progress in Intellectual Property (IP) acquisition, innovation-driven industry, infrastructural development and capacity building and strengthening in basic biomedical research had been the key attractions.

Nigeria and, indeed, most of the sub-Saharan nations relies on wholesome importation of needed drugs and vaccines for the plethora of diseases (tropical and emerging global diseases alike). Thus, by focusing its research on the leading causes of death in Nigeria and Africa – Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, Dengue, heart disease, cancer, and chronic liver diseases - the local biotechnology industry is a promising sector that can bring to market biopharmaceuticals for which there is an expanding base of demand. Concerted effort in this direction is therefore, a priority.

Strategically, the NABDA Step-B grant had been focused on capacity building and strengthening of Biopharmaceuticals education, training, research and development in Nigeria. The plan of is aimed at building capacity for bridging identified gaps in biopharmaceutical education, training, research, development, production and sales in Nigeria. The plan provides for gaps to be addressed through:

(a) Qualitative training of Nigerian Scientists, researchers and technologists in life sciences, computer sciences, database management and process engineering in Biopharmaceuticals research and development (in collaboration with internationally recognized centers and institutions around the world).

(b) Upgrading the laboratory Facilities at NABDA’S Biopharmaceuticals Research and Training Centre, Abuja for the development of recombinant biopharmaceutical products at a Laboratory/Pilot scale.

(c) Partnering with Professional Associations, Regulatory Agencies, Nigerian Universities Commission on Curriculum development for Biopharmaceutical education and training research and development in Nigeria

(d) Partnering with Research Institutes (local and international), Universities, Pharmaceutical industries and spin-off biotech companies for scale-up production of biopharmaceuticals.

The Program implementation plan is aimed at building capacity by bridging identified gaps in the biopharmaceuticals education, training, research, development, production and sales in Nigeria. The training program promises to increase the skills, enhance the competencies, and enlarge the capacity of Nigerians such that, for example, there will be progressive new developments in genetic engineering leading to innovative research and advancements in the production of recombinant protein products for the African market. With the prospect of 40-60% of new drugs being biopharmaceuticals, the time is ripe to enshrine biotechnology in the current undergraduate Pharmacy and Life Sciences curriculum. The project is in line with the STEP-B Project Development Objective (PDO): to produce (a) more and better qualified Science and Technology graduates, and (b) higher quality and more relevant research.

The opportunity afforded by the project to identify training needs, work together on solutions and product development will not only help in accelerating access to innovative therapies, but also lay the foundations for staying ahead of international competition.

Project Management

Prof. Bamidele O. Solomon
Director-General/CEO,
NABDA/FMST

Oyekanmi Nash, Ph. D
Project Manager,
NABDA STEP-B & Deputy-Director,
Collaboration & Linkages,
NABDA/FMST

Alex Akpa, Ph. D
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer,
NABDA STEP-B & Director,
Medical Biotechnology,
NABDAFMST

Pharm. Yomi Oguntunde
Technical Officer NABDA STEP-B & Assistant Director,
DPLS/FMST

Mallam Abubakar Sadiq
Procurement Officer,
NABDASTEP-B & Deputy-Director,
Procurement,
NABDA/FMST

Mr. Ebi Siasia
Financial Officer,
NABDA STEP-B & Accountant,
NABDA/FMST

Mrs. Toyin Omazuwa
Communication Officer,
NABDA STEP-B & Information Officer,
NABDA/FMST

Partnership and Collaboration

With a broad mandate of coordinating, monitoring and promoting biotechnology activities in Nigeria, the Agency has to go for the best available expertise for its projects implementation. As much as possible, and especially in this relatively new field of biotechnology, focused partnerships and collaborations with individuals, groups, institutions and companies are veritable assets for forging ahead.
With regard to this project, we have, through the various STEP-B activities so far, formed a partnership with institutions (local and foreign) and companies (local and foreign) that is poised to deliver necessary training, improve on the current undergraduate Pharmacy curriculum, and set the ball rolling for Nigeria’s entry into biopharm production and distribution.
The partnership includes the following:

1. PharmEng Tecnology Inc (& Partners), Canada
2. School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo (& Collaborators). Canada
3. Faculty of Pharmacy, OAU-IFE;
4. Faculty of Pharmacy, ABU-ZARIA;
5. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group/MAN
6. Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria
7. Pharmacist Council of Nigeria
8. Nigerian Universities Commission

Address and Contact

For more information, contact:

The Project Manager,
NABDA STEP-B Project Office,
Umar Musa Yar-Adua Road (Former Airport Road),
Lugbe,
Abuja, FCT-Nigeria