No Free Lunch Podcast – Building Affordable Biotech Solutions For Africa

In this episode of “No Free Lunch,” host Greg Stewart interviewed Ethan Hunter, CEO and co-founder of Immobazyme a start-up biotech company in South Africa’s Western Cape Region. The discussion highlights the company’s journey from its initial focus on cellular agriculture to its strategic pivot towards the cosmetics industry, and pharmaceutical products, leveraging precision fermentation technology.

Ethan shares insights into the challenges and successes of navigating the biotech landscape in Africa, including securing significant funding and partnerships with major players like L’Oreal, that has opened doors for further expansion for the start-up.

The conversation also delves into the company’s future plans, including the development of a new production facility and the ambition to become a leading bio-manufacturer in Africa.

Ethan shared how the Immobazyme team has prioritised the importance of local drug development, and manufacturing, particularly for diabetic foot ulcer treatments, that while treatments are available, they are financially out of reach for most Africans due to high duties and royalties. Ethan and his team believe this can be changed with locally produced treatments at a fraction of the imported cost.

We also discuss the broader challenges facing the biotech industry in Africa, such as finding and retaining talent, as well as the regulatory compliance challenges and the need for increased R&D investment. He concludes with a hopeful outlook on the industry’s growth, driven by collaboration and innovation.

Listen Here:

Key Quotes from Ethan:

• “The biotechnology industry in South Africa is on its way, but it’s not nearly as established as in other regions.”
• “We’ve been privileged to have investors who are forward-thinking and supportive of our strategic hiring and growth plans.”
• “Our goal is to become a leading bio-manufacturer of pharmaceutical products in Africa.”
• “Biotech is considered a quaternary sector of the economy, and Africa has been driven by primary and secondary sectors.”
• “We need R&D to tackle issues like food security and health, but we’ve struggled to inject the necessary capital.”
• “The programs we’re spitting out are forever increasing, and the talent coming out of these programs is amazing.”
• “There’s a big program with the Egyptian government to fast-track drug development and access to pharmaceuticals in Africa.”
• “We can do both—address immediate needs and invest in R&D—and it’s time to give the research and development economy a chance.”