Global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Recipharm, in charge of shaping the new entity SENSYO Pharmatech, has attended a ceremony to recognize the launch of construction works at its new fill finish factory in Morocco. The ceremony was chaired by His Majesty the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, in the province of Benslimane, and marks the start of a new era of vaccine independence in Morocco.

This is a major investment in the site by the Moroccan Government, a consortium of the country’s leading banks and Recipharm over the next five years to establish both capacity and capability for Recipharm to manufacture vaccines and biotherapeutics in the Kingdom. The investment is another step towards effective management of the pandemic and will contribute to ensuring vaccine self-sufficiency for the Kingdom and supply to the African continent as a whole.

The facility, named SENSYO Pharmatech, is in line with His Majesty’s vision to position Morocco as a key biotechnology hub that is capable of meeting the short and long-term health needs of people across Africa by integrating pharmaceutical research, clinical development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products.

SENSYO Pharmatech aims to be the largest fill and finish platform in Africa. As a first step, it will focus on the manufacture and syringing of vaccines and will feature three industrial lines which are forecast to produce more than 100 million units in 2024. These lines will be dedicated to producing vials and vaccines in syringes. It is being constructed on a 60 hectare greenfield site and is expected to be operational by 2023.

“We are proud to be involved as the CDMO of choice in this fantastic step forward for Morocco and Africa,” said Marc Funk, CEO, Recipharm. “Breaking ground on a facility of this magnitude is a significant milestone and reflects the depth of our joint commitment to meeting Morocco’s long term healthcare needs.

“The past two years have shown the importance of reliable vaccine supply, and we are honoured to have been asked to use our expertise and experience in fill finish manufacturing to produce vaccines and other biotherapeutics in Morocco. Together with all parties involved, we will work to ensure that countries across Africa have greater access to the healthcare they need.”

Between 2022-2025, the aim is to transfer the aseptic filling and active substance manufacturing of more than 20 vaccines and bio-therapeutic products, including three Covid-19 vaccines to meet the needs of people in Morocco and Africa.