As part of its research efforts into the use of various African leaves, roots and plants as an alternative source of medicine for the cure of Africa’s health challenges, the University of Jos’s Africa Centre of Excellence in Phyto-medicine Research and Development (ACEPRD) has developed an anti-snake venom vaccine. Developer of the Vaccine and Centre Leader, Professor John Aguiyi, who has already received an award from the National Office for Technology, Acquisition and Promotions (NOTAP) for the invention, stated that NOTAP had gone further to organise a meeting between the researcher and the Bank of Industry (BoI), with the aim of commercialising the product.
While work is on-going on the final stage of the research at the Centre’s partner-university, Sheffield Hallam University, UK; a business plan for the commercialisation of the product has been developed. Professor Aguiyi noted that every policy and back-up of manufacturing law, such as clinical trials, using animal and human subject, would be employed. He disclosed that the Gambian government had also indicated interest in the vaccine and talks would go further, once the product is manufactured.
Professor Aguiyi disclosed that, prior to becoming a Centre of Excellence, ACEPRD had been working on other products, through the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. One of such products is the family planning kit, developed by the Deputy Centre Leader, Professor Francis Okwuasaba. The product, which was developed using plant materials, has gone through an animal modelling process, has been tested and is, currently, undergoing the second trial stage at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos.
ACEPRD Office