Aspen Pharmacare is negotiating with partners to produce mpox vaccines at its facilities, according to CEO Stephen Saad. T
his move comes as Africa grapples with an mpox outbreak, which the WHO declared a global health emergency in August.
The outbreak has seen over 22,800 cases and 622 deaths across 13 African nations this year, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new strain began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to neighboring countries.
Saad confirmed discussions with potential partners but did not disclose their names.
Aspen has the capacity and capability to produce the mpox vaccine, and the company is confident it can deliver the product.
To avoid repeating the situation with unsold COVID-19 vaccines, Aspen has set two conditions.
First, there must be a firm commitment to purchase volumes. Second, Aspen requires funding for the technology transfer to its facility.
Mpox, generally mild but sometimes fatal, spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms along with pus-filled lesions.
