The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have announced a sublicensing agreement between MPP and a Nigerian health technology company, Codix Bio, to start the development and manufacture of rapid diagnostic tests using technology transferred from global in-vitro diagnostics company, SD Biosensor (SDB).
This agreement will contribute to advancing equitable access to vital diagnostic tools through local production and expansion of manufacturing capacity in the African region.
“The new RDT technology is especially useful for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), as it is easy to use in health facilities without requiring additional equipment.
“Tests are highly sensitive and can generate results within 20 minutes. Codix Bio will initially focus on producing RDTs for HIV, but the technology can also be used for manufacturing tests for malaria and syphilis, among others. It can also be quickly adapted to other diseases, which will prove valuable during health emergencies and pandemics, contributing to improvements in health security and equity,” WHO Assistant Director-General, Access to Medicines and Health Products, Dr Yukiko Nakatani, said.
He added that sublicensing SDB’s RDT technology marks a major milestone in strengthening manufacturing capabilities in regions where they are needed most.
“It can help advance global commitments made at the 2023 World Health Assembly to promote equitable access to diagnostics as a cornerstone of universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness.”
Executive Director of Medicines Patent Pool, Charles Gore, said: “We are delighted to have signed this first sublicense agreement for RDTs with Codix Bio. It marks a major step forward in diversifying diagnostic production and ensuring access where it is needed most.
“It shows how voluntary licensing and coordinated technology transfer can empower manufacturers in LMICs, ultimately helping reshape global supply chains to become more equitable and resilient.
“This agreement is the first to come out of a non-exclusive, transparent license between SDB and MPP, which was agreed in December 2023 under the auspices of the WHO COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) initiative. C-TAP has since evolved as HTAP the Health Technology Access Programme, with the goal of reducing the access gap in underserved regions and countries by empowering capable local producers of health products (tests, vaccines, treatments and medical devices) through sublicensing, technology and know-how transfer.
“The announcement of this sublicensing agreement with Codix Bio marks an important milestone in our partnership with WHO and MPP. By coupling the technology transfer with coordinated support, this initiative helps Codix Bio respond to health priorities in Nigeria and the region,” he stated.