Anhui Biochem Pharmaceutical (Africa)

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This Upstream Project entails an opportunity for IFC to support Anhui Biochem United Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Anhui Biochem”) to identify and develop opportunities for the local production for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B drugs in selected African countries through the creation of local manufacturing partnerships. Anhui Biochem is one of China's leading biotech companies engaged in the development, manufacturing and supply of antiretroviral drugs, currently exporting its products to 33 countries. Increasing local pharmaceutical production will potentially ease the current strain on African government budgets and foreign exchange demands arising from a high reliance on imported products critical for the treatment of killer diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B. In addition, on-continent production will reduce the vulnerability of African populations to the type of supply-chain disruptions encountered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Project requires Upstream support to identify the markets with: (i) the strongest manufacturing capabilities, (ii) a well-suited enabling environment, (iii) appropriate potential local partners, (iv) an evaluation of the technological and economic feasibility of each opportunity backed by well-structured economic and financial analyses, and (v) a compilation of the project roadmap to investment. IFC intends to provide advisory services to facilitate partner engagements, as well as co-funding and relevant internal expertise to manage external consulting engagements and studies required to reach investment readiness within the next three years.