WHO and MPP Partner with Nigeria’s Codix Bio to Manufacture Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Africa

GENEVA/ABUJA — In a significant step toward advancing health equity and pandemic preparedness in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) have signed a sublicensing agreement with Nigerian health tech company, Codix Bio, for the local production of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) on the continent.

The agreement, announced Friday, marks a major milestone in efforts to decentralize diagnostics manufacturing, giving Africa greater autonomy over its public health responses through localized production.

Technology Transfer from SD Biosensor to Codix Bio

The sublicense involves the transfer of RDT technology from South Korean diagnostics company SD Biosensor (SDB) to Codix Bio under a non-exclusive licensing deal brokered by MPP. This agreement is part of a broader initiative by WHO’s Health Technology Access Pool (HTAP), previously known as C-TAP, aimed at boosting equitable access to essential health technologies.

The RDT technology is highly suited to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as it:

Requires no laboratory equipment
Produces results in under 20 minutes
Can be used in basic healthcare settings
Is scalable and adaptable to multiple diseases (HIV, malaria, syphilis, etc.)

Focus on Health Security and Local Manufacturing

Codix Bio will initially manufacture RDTs for HIV, with plans to expand into malaria, syphilis, and other diseases, particularly during emergencies and pandemics.

“Sublicensing SDB’s RDT technology marks a major milestone in strengthening manufacturing capabilities where they are needed most,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

“It helps advance global commitments made at the 2023 World Health Assembly to promote equitable access to diagnostics,” she added.

A Model for Global Supply Chain Transformation

Charles Gore, Executive Director of MPP, highlighted the broader significance:

“This is a major step forward in diversifying diagnostic production and ensuring access where it is needed most. It shows how voluntary licensing and coordinated technology transfer can empower manufacturers in LMICs.”

The agreement is the first sublicense under a December 2023 license between MPP and SDB, made public as part of WHO’s HTAP initiative to bridge the global gap in diagnostics, treatments, vaccines, and medical devices.

Codix Bio: Leading the Charge in Africa

Selected as the first sublicensee following an open call, Codix Bio’s selection represents a breakthrough for local healthcare innovation in Africa.

“This landmark agreement is a defining moment for us and for health-tech manufacturing on the continent,” said Sammy Ogunjimi, CEO of Codix Group. “We’re proud to be leading this initiative and committed to producing high-quality diagnostics that will transform access to healthcare across Africa.”

The company will receive technical and strategic support from WHO and MPP across:

Workforce development
Regulatory compliance
Product uptake and scalability

About HTAP (Health Technology Access Programme)

HTAP is WHO’s strategic response to global health inequality. It aims to:

Empower LMIC manufacturers
Provide technical, regulatory, and logistical support
Facilitate voluntary licensing and tech transfers
Build resilient, self-reliant manufacturing ecosystems

This partnership with Codix Bio is HTAP’s first implementation milestone, with evaluations ongoing for a second sublicensee.

Conclusion

The WHO-MPP-Codix Bio partnership is a pivotal move toward regional self-sufficiency in health technologies. It not only empowers local innovation in Nigeria but sets the foundation for a continent-wide transformation in diagnostic manufacturing, health security, and pandemic preparedness.

By reducing dependency on global supply chains, this initiative is a blueprint for reshaping how the world approaches healthcare access and equity—starting from Africa, for Africa.