Tackling Uganda’s $1.1 Billion Cattle Tick Emergency with a Novel Vaccine Solution

World Business Journal talks to Stephen Birungi, Managing Director of Alfasan Uganda and Dr. Margaret Saimo-Kahwa, Makerere University, Principal Investigator and Lead Researcher of Uganda’s Anti-Tick Vaccine Development Initiative. They discuss how the government, private sector and scientists came together to establish Alfasan Uganda’s veterinary pharmaceuticals factory and create Africa’s first anti-tick vaccine. This promises an effective and efficient solution to the cattle tick menace in Uganda and beyond. 

Mr Birungi, what were the key factors leading to the establishment of the veterinary factory in Uganda, and how did this come to fruition?

We founded Alfasan Uganda in response to the exorbitant costs associated with imported veterinary drugs, chemicals, and feed products. The emergence of new competitors from China and India intensified the competition, rendering the existing business model unsustainable. 

My background as a veterinarian, coupled with prior involvement with a Dutch drug manufacturing company operating in Africa, encouraged me to formulate an ambitious 20-year plan aimed at shifting Uganda from import dependence to domestic production. 

This plan garnered significant support, with the Dutch government contributing a $1 million grant and the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) adding another $1 million to establish the factory. Furthermore, the Ugandan government, including the Ministry for Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), provided financial backing. 

How did the partnership between Alfasan and Makerere University’s CoVAB unit come about?

HE President Museveni laid a foundation stone on the Alfasan factory in 2013. He subsequently took a keen interest in the project and suggested collaborating with Makerere University to advance the anti-tick vaccine initiative developed at CoVAB. 

Alfasan engaged with the researchers and started a successful initial vaccine batch production of 300 doses which is currently in the second trial phase. This is expected to span six months, after which we plan to apply for permission from the National Drug Authority (NDA) to produce vaccine batches, which we anticipate will be ready by September or October.

Subsequently, Alfasan will align the factory with the highest global manufacturing standards.

What sets Africa’s first anti-tick vaccine apart, and how does its unique functionality and affordability contribute to its breakthrough status?

Priced at only $4 per dose, representing only about 6% of farmers’ long-term costs, our anti-tick vaccine offers a cost-effective solution to tick-related challenges. 

Unlike less effective alternatives, farmers only need to administer two initial doses and an annual maintenance dose to livestock, providing a practical and economical solution. Moreover, the anti-tick vaccine tackles tick acaricide resistance with an environmentally friendly alternative, complementing other efforts to control ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Dr. Saimo-Kahwa, how does TicVac-U work against tick-borne diseases, and how effective is it?

TicVac-U kills both adult and developing ticks while reducing egg production. In stall experiments at CoVAB, the vaccine demonstrated 92% effectiveness against R. appendiculatus ticks responsible for transmitting East Coast fever (ECF) and 53% effectiveness against R. decoloratus ticks responsible for transmitting Babesiosis. It holds significant potential for protecting Uganda’s cattle population against these diseases.

What economic benefits will the TicVac-U vaccine bring to cattle farmers and Uganda as a whole?

Tick-borne diseases cost Uganda $1.1 billion annually. By substantially reducing the incidence of these diseases through vaccination, TicVac-U can lower mortality rates, boost livestock productivity, and reduce spending on disease management. This not only enhances cattle farming profitability but also contributes to the country’s overall economic growth by increasing agricultural output and minimising healthcare costs associated with tick-related illnesses.

May we ask you both about the impacts of the success of the TicVac-U vaccine?

The success of the anti-tick vaccine has spurred collaborations and progress in vaccine innovation. 

Despite challenges such as high interest rates, a proactive approach to supportive policies, knowledge transfer, and collaboration is reshaping Uganda’s vaccine industry and attracting investor interest. 

The team is also partnering with Malaysian experts to address specific challenges affecting local farmers. 

Additionally, our success has propelled advancements in human vaccines, leading to the launch of a new unit focused on COVID vaccine production using a subunit method [using purified parts of the pathogen to create a protective immune response]. This not only addresses immediate concerns but also strengthens Uganda’s capacity for vaccine manufacturing.

How did the veterinary factory overcome initial obstacles?

Alfasan surmounted initial funding challenges through partnership-driven solutions, relying on Dutch government grants and UDB loans. Government vision and support fortified our resolve amid technical and regulatory challenges. Persistence and compliance were pivotal, demonstrating the power of collaboration in conquering obstacles.

This to both of you: what role has partnership played in advancing vaccine development in Uganda?

The collaboration between government, scientific institutions, and the private sector has played a vital role in driving vaccine innovation, effectively addressing agricultural challenges, and paving the way for new developments. This includes the forthcoming introduction of an innovative vaccine unit.