In a landmark move to boost Africa’s healthcare manufacturing capacity, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have signed a sublicensing agreement with Nigerian health tech company Codix Bio for the local development and production of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs).
Announced Friday, the partnership marks the first sublicense agreement for RDTs under a global initiative aimed at improving equitable access to essential diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The technology transfer deal involves the global diagnostics company SD Biosensor (SDB) sharing its easy-to-use, equipment-free RDT technology with Codix Bio. The initial focus will be on HIV testing, but the adaptable technology also supports testing for malaria, syphilis, and can be quickly tailored for future health emergencies.
“Sublicensing SDB’s RDT technology marks a major milestone in strengthening manufacturing where it’s most needed,”
said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General.
“It supports the commitments made at the 2023 World Health Assembly to ensure equitable diagnostic access and pandemic readiness,” she added.
The agreement stems from a non-exclusive, transparent license signed between SDB and MPP in December 2023 under WHO’s COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), now rebranded as the Health Technology Access Programme (HTAP).
“This is a major step in diversifying diagnostic production,” said Charles Gore, MPP Executive Director.
“It shows the power of voluntary licensing and technology transfer to build resilient supply chains in LMICs.”
Codix Bio emerged as the first selected sublicensee following an open call to LMIC manufacturers.
“This is a defining moment for health-tech innovation in Africa,” said Sammy Ogunjimi, Codix Bio’s CEO.
“It marks our commitment to strengthening health security across the continent through local production.”
HTAP will now lead efforts to support Codix Bio in areas such as:
Workforce development
Regulatory compliance
Product uptake strategies
Further evaluations are underway to select a second sublicensee under the program.
“We’re proud our technology will help build self-reliant diagnostic ecosystems across Africa,” added Hyo-Keun Lee, Vice Chairman of SD Biosensor.