Strategy for Development of Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Sector in Mauritius

EU Africa RISE has conducted an in-depth and comprehensive feasibility study for the establishment and focused strategic positioning of Mauritius as a regional pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub. This report was prepared in response to a request from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology with the support of the EU Delegation of Mauritius. The ambition is to make this sector a key pillar of the economy and there is enormous benefits to exploit the potential of Mauritius. The team of experts selected by Africa Rise has coordinated and supported a market analysis, a legislative review and a skills gap analysis in line with that objective. From the outset, the report analyses the Mauritian BioPharma Ecosystem and its Key Proposals. It namely highlights the impactful role of Centers of Excellence. A combination of critical factors of success is further outlined: regulatory, strategic projects, investment, partnerships, human capital, infrastructure and speed. Thereafter the report focuses in depth on the building blocks of a pharmaceutical and biotechnology hub. It develops main aspects such as the regulatory framework, the skills needs and the different fields of research and manufacturing of services and products. Emphasis is laid, in parallel to the strategic market positioning of Mauritius, which is a member of the African Union and various African trading blocs such as the SADC and COMESA. Lastly, the third part of the study emphasises on the Institutional and Governance framework. The pivotal roles of the Mauritius Life Science Authority (MLSA) and of the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) are highlighted as well as the necessity for regular appraisal of performance, for example through Hard KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). The report by the team of experts concludes favorably on the development of a Biopharma hub in Mauritius. The feasibility and framework study uncovers concrete strategic opportunities for research, development and investment and actionable levers for efficient and profitable trade. A key take-away is a 6-pronged framework geared towards short term, medium term and long term outcomes. The six components of the framework are (1) Skills and capabilities, (2) Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Framework, (3) Animal Research (4) Clinical Research (5) Manufacturing and (6) Investment and Incentives. In the short to medium term, the focus of this multi-faceted approach is to develop and establish Priority Products and Services for export, update Legal and Regulatory and IP framework to ensure global standards are met and build capacity and infrastructure to become a Biopharma hub. In the medium to long term, the report proposes a coordinated approach from each angle to ensure establishing Mauritius as a centre of Excellence for Clinical Trials, R&D and manufacturing.