CBN sets N50m limit for vaccine research grants

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set a N50 million on the grant available to research activities for the development of vaccines to combat infectious diseases.

In the healthcare sector research and development guidelines published on its website, the CBN said a N500 million has also been set for grants approved for the development and manufacturing of drugs.

“Specifically, the HSRDIS is designed to trigger intense national R&D activities to develop a Nigerian vaccine, drugs and herbal medicines against the spread of COVID-19 and any other communicable or non-communicable diseases through the provision of grants to biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies, institutions, researchers, and research institutes for the research and development of drugs, herbal medicines and vaccines for the control, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases,” the apex bank said.

“The scheme is intended to boost domestic manufacturing of critical drugs and vaccines to ensure their sustainable domestic supply and reduce the bulk manufacturing costs of the drugs, herbal medicines and vaccines in Nigeria.”

According to the document, the scheme shall be funded from the developmental component of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund (MSMEDF).

“Candidate vaccines undergoing pre-clinical testing or trials shall not be eligible for consideration under this scheme. However, candidate vaccines undergoing clinical testing or trials shall be eligible for consideration under the scheme if considered to have high potential to cross the clinical trial stage and prospects of scale by the body of experts (BoE),” the guidelines read.

It said organisations applying for the grant must have conducted pre-clinical testing of the candidate drugs, herbal medicines and vaccines, and obtained certification from relevant health authorities for further research and development.

It added that special consideration shall be given to candidate drugs, herbal medicines and vaccines with high scientific merit against emerging infections and contribute to the development of the Nigerian vaccine.

According to the guidelines, CBN said the disbursement of the grants would be made to beneficiaries in tranches, subject to approved milestones achieved.

It also added that the research and development timeframe would not be more than two years from the date of release of the funds while the development/manufacturing activities would not be more than one year from the date of the release of fund.