VACSERA collaborating with Bilthoven Biologicals
A significant milestone for Egypt’s self-sufficiency on polio vaccines was reached on October 21st with the signing of the tech transfer agreement between VACSERA and Bilthoven Biologicals. The signing took place on the sidelines of Egypt’s second edition of the Global Congress on Population, Health and Human Development 2024, held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, with the slogan “Human Development: For a Sustainable Future.”
Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) and the Dutch company Bilthoven Biologicals (BBio) to transfer the technology of manufacturing the injectable polio vaccine.
Basil Babychan, Commercial director at BBio: “What we are doing is to bring the technology to Egypt, where the product is filled, finished and supplied in the Egyptian market through VACSERA”. Jurgen Kwik, CEO at BBio adds: “This development aligns with BBio’s mission to be at the forefront of the fight against polio and achieve polio eradication. It’s a great pleasure to bring this announcement today, on World Polio Day 2024”.
Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population of Egypt, explained that Bilthoven Biologicals is one of the leading Dutch companies in the field of transferring vaccine manufacturing technology, and this is the first time the company has transferred vaccine manufacturing technology outside Europe, in addition to the company providing all means of support in the steps of qualifying the vaccine to comply with good manufacturing conditions to ensure quality.
Sherif Al-Feel, Managing Director of the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA), said that the injectable polio vaccine is one of the vaccines used to keep Egypt free of polio, adding that signing the cooperation agreement is a step towards localizing the vaccine industry and achieving self-sufficiency in the injectable polio vaccine, with the possibility of exporting the product to African countries. VACSERA is the state led producer of sera and vaccines in Egypt.
Rhabdoid tumor cells targeted through their building blocks
PhD candidate Marjolein Kes has identified new therapeutic targets for the treatment of rhabdoid tumors (MRT). In the laboratory, Kes found that inhibiting the production of DNA building blocks slows the division of tumor cells and can even cause them to disappear. These findings form the basis for the development of a new clinical study. Yesterday, she received her PhD from Utrecht University.
Health Starts in the Community, Not in the Hospital
A person’s health is shaped by more than access to medical care. Factors such as income, housing, stress, social environment, and access to essential services all play an important role. That is why researchers, healthcare professionals, students, and residents are working together to reduce health inequalities and create healthier communities.
Heineken Young Scientists Award for Miguel Leung
Miguel Leung, group leader at the Hubrecht Institute since 2024, has been awarded the Heineken Young Scientists Award 2026. This award recognizes young researchers who have made outstanding scientific achievements, setting an example for other young scientists. With his research group at the Hubrecht Institute, Miguel Leung investigates the 3D structure of protein complexes, tiny machines at work inside each of our cells. The group focuses on highly specialized cells that perform specific functions, such as sperm and egg cells.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).