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by emmannaemeka
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BiosecurityGlobal health & developmentNeglected tropical diseasesResearch
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TL;DR

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now a more pressing health crisis in Africa than HIV, TB, or malaria, with a mortality rate of 27.3 per 100,000 people. Unlike in wealthier nations, Africa’s AMR burden is fueled by factors such as poor sanitation, lack of clean water, and limited access to effective antibiotics. Bacteriophages (phages) offer a promising alternative, yet Africa currently lacks a dedicated phage bank for research and therapeutic development.

The Centre for Phage Biology and Therapeutics LTD/GTE in Nigeria is working to establish a phage bank to support phage-based solutions for AMR and infectious diseases. While progress is being made, critical gaps remain in large-scale sequencing, vaccine development, and biomanufacturing capacity. Addressing these challenges will enhance Africa’s ability to develop innovative treatments, improve food security, and contribute to global AMR mitigation efforts.

Advancing phage biotechnology in Africa represents a transformative opportunity in infectious disease control. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be key to unlocking its full potential.

 

Background

Africa faces a significant burden of infectious diseases, accounting for 95% of global malaria deaths, 70% of people living with HIV, and 25% of tuberculosis (TB) deaths. In 2019, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) contributed to approximately 55,000 deaths from HIV, 30,000 from malaria, and 255,000 overall. A new report by the Africa CDC warns that AMR is now a more significant threat to Africa than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined, with a mortality rate of 27.3 deaths per 100,000 people—the highest in the world (source).

Unlike wealthier countries, where excessive antibiotic use is the primary driver of AMR, Africa faces unique challenges. The leading causes of AMR on the continent include the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and food production, migration, low vaccination rates, and pollution from hospitals, and pharmaceutical waste. Limited access to quality medicines and diagnostics, poor sanitation, and inadequate infection prevention further compound the crisis. Alarmingly, one in three hospitals lacks clean running water, and open defecation remains common due to poor sanitation. Addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges could prevent an estimated 700,000 deaths annually.

Phage Therapy: A Promising Solution

As antibiotic resistance reaches crisis levels, bacteriophages (phages) emerge as potential alternatives. Phages—viruses that infect and kill bacteria—can be used alone or in combination with antibiotics to treat drug-resistant infections. The UK recently recognized their potential, with the House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee highlighting phage therapy as an exciting avenue for combating AMR.

Phage banks, which store and maintain bacteriophages for research and clinical applications, are critical in advancing this technology. While several phage banks exist worldwide, Africa has none (source). Establishing a phage bank in Africa would offer key benefits:

  1. Rapid Deployment and Cost-effectiveness: A local phage bank would enable quick identification and deployment of phages tailored to regional bacterial strains, offering a cost-effective response to AMR outbreaks.

  2. Tailored Solutions for Africa : Developing phage therapies locally would ensure they are accessible, effective, and adapted to Africa’s unique bacterial landscape.

  3. Advancing Research and Clinical Applications: A phage bank would support research and innovation in phage-based therapies, diagnostics, and biocontrol solutions.

The Centre for Phage Biology and Therapeutics LTD/GTE

In 2022, we secured Emergent Ventures funding to establish Nigeria’s first phage bank. This funding allowed us to acquire a property and register as a non-profit dedicated to advancing phage research and applications in combating AMR and infectious diseases.

Our mission is to provide scientists, clinicians, and industries with access to well-characterized phages for therapeutic, agricultural, and environmental applications. Through cutting-edge research, strategic partnerships, and capacity building, we aim to promote the safe and effective use of phages in Africa. Our current phage collection includes strains targeting Salmonella Typhi, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Areas of Need

Critical gaps in funding and infrastructure must be addressed to realize the potential of phage biotechnology in Africa fully. While we have a nanopore sequencer, the high sequencing costs limit our ability to conduct large-scale genomic studies essential for phage characterization and precision medicine approaches. Without sustained funding for sequencing, innovation in phage therapy and vaccine development remains constrained.

We lack facilities for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production and bioreactors, key components for scaling up phage-based therapies, vaccine development, and biocontrol solutions. Establishing GMP-compliant production facilities would enable us to move from research to real-world applications, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and regulatory approval of phage products for human, veterinary, and agricultural use.

Additionally, investment in state-of-the-art biosafety laboratories and automation technology is necessary to streamline phage discovery, screening, and formulation, which would enhance accessibility, making life-saving phage therapies available to hospitals, researchers, and industries across Africa.

Addressing these needs will accelerate our progress in combating antimicrobial resistance, improving food security, and positioning Africa as a global leader in phage biotechnology. We welcome collaborations and funding partnerships to help bridge these critical gaps and drive impactful innovation.

Why This Matters 

Collaborating with our initiative offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of a groundbreaking movement in global health. By partnering with us, researchers, investors, and policymakers can:

  • Advance Scientific Innovation: Contribute to pioneering phage-based treatments and vaccines tailored to Africa’s unique bacterial pathogens.

  • Enhance Global Health Security : Help mitigate the rising threat of AMR, which has far-reaching consequences beyond Africa’s borders.

  • Leverage a Growing Market : Support the development of a scalable industry in phage biotechnology, which has applications in human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.

  • Strengthen Research Capacity : Build local expertise and infrastructure, fostering African scientific excellence and innovation.

Conclusion

AMR is a growing crisis in Africa, surpassing AIDS, TB, and malaria in mortality rates. While traditional antibiotics are failing, phage therapy and vaccine innovations are viable. Establishing a phage bank in Nigeria is crucial in developing homegrown solutions to combat AMR and infectious diseases. Through research, collaboration, and investment in phage-based technologies, Africa can lead in addressing one of our time's most significant public health threats. By joining forces, we can pioneer transformative solutions to save lives, protect global health, and build a sustainable future for phage biotechnology in Africa.

Suppose you are interested in learning more or contributing your expertise to help align our efforts. We welcome discussions on working together to drive innovation in this critical field.

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