Mosibudi Mangena, at the opening ceremony of the Microbicides 2006 Conference,
South Africa, Cape Town
23 April 2006
Honourable Minister of Health,
Ministers and MECs here present,
Directors General, Heads of Departments and senior officials,
Chairpersons of the organising committee of the Conference,
Representatives of multinational organisations,
Academics and members of civil society,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
Congratulations on having this landmark conference in South Africa and on
the African continent. Recent statistics on HIV and AIDS suggest that
increasing numbers of women and girls are being infected with the HI virus. We
know from studies in southern Africa that the reported levels of condom usage
are low and women, unfortunately, due to socio-economic and other reasons,
cannot always ensure that safe sex is practised. Therefore, the need to find
alternative methods of preventing sexually transmitted HIV infections cannot be
sufficiently overemphasised.
Microbicides offer an important opportunity to give couples, but
particularly women, more discretion and control in reducing the transmission of
the virus. What is also important is the bi-directional effect of a successful
microbicide that could prevent male-to-female and female-to-male HIV
acquisition.
South Africa occupies an intermediate position between least-developed and
developed countries. We also have a very energetic biotechnology and life
science community. Given that microbicide research is on the Department of
Healthâs comprehensive plan for addressing the HIV pandemic, the Department of
Science and Technology is a committed partner in ensuring that enhanced levels
of research and development of microbicides takes top priority.
To this end, my department has agreed to be one of the major sponsors of
this conference, and created two conference awards for the Best Young Woman
Scientist and the Best Young African Scientist, which will be announced at the
end of the conference.
In addition, my department organised a strategic planning session with
prominent South African researchers in this field. The result was the
development of a Roadmap for Microbicide Research in South Africa. Based on
identified research areas in biomedical research, a consortium of researchers
are currently busy developing research proposals intended to enhance South
Africaâs capabilities, and bring together a larger number of diverse
researchers.
We have scientists that are able to conduct world class research and enhance
their good scientific practice by creating an enabling environment for
technology transfer that can lead to the development of new classes of products
and services. Several advanced clinical trials have been or are currently being
conducted by the South African Medical Research Council in Durban, the
Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit in Johannesburg, the Universities of
Cape Town and Limpopo, and the Africa Centre. With one exception, all products
that are currently in advanced stages of research are being evaluated in South
Africa.
It is likely that the efficacy of a candidate microbicide will be known as
early as 2008. However, huge disparities in access to resources and levels of
development between developed and developing countries often lead to tensions
and frustrations. We do not yet have a system in place, at least in South
Africa, to accelerate product manufacturing and availability on a larger scale.
If we are to ensure that HIV prevention options are available worldwide, and
especially on the African continent, accelerated production, distribution and
access would need to be in place among communities where the research took
place. So, one of the solutions is to encourage, facilitate or ensure that the
transfer of technology also occurs in the developing world.
The biotechnology industry in South Africa is growing rapidly at present.
The growth in all related fields: biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology,
microbiology, genetic engineering and biotechnology exceeded 46% between 2002
and 2004. This bears testimony to South Africaâs commitment to strengthening
biotechnology.
South Africa has a keen interest in intellectual property development and
protection, and technology transfer with a view to developing our
competitiveness globally. However, the effective protection and generous
licensing of intellectual property can also be used to advance public good
agendas related to food security, health and public safety.
Assuming that an economy of a region or country has the capacity to secure
intellectual property efficiently, these options and choices remain open. This,
for example, is the approach adopted in securing patents related to HIV and
AIDS vaccine development in the South African Vaccine Initiative. The core
motive is not profit but partnership to achieve low cost with high reach and
efficacy.
I believe that if the technology holder and the technology recipient see
mutual advantages in a relationship, then technology transfer would
fundamentally be about the negotiation of agreements which constitute the
transfer of value between role players. But more than this, the relationship is
about the genuine sharing of knowledge based on the assumption that this will
lead to the acceleration of development and testing phases, and a sounder
sharing of benefits, including benefit to those who use the products.
This is a matter of political will and the commitment of resources, globally
and locally, at levels that would accelerate the development of safe and
efficacious microbicides. This is not a trivial task. Good science, linked to
sound ethical trials, public information and low cost delivery are all part of
a complex mix we have to mobilise to achieve success.
The prevailing theme of this conference should be partnership. Some people
still cling to the quaint illusion that the strict separation of mandates is
possible in a developmental state. However, experience from innovation systems
is convincing enough to show that it is the interaction and inter-institutional
flows that galvanise true creativity and innovation.
This conference, with four defined themes, namely, basic science, clinical
trials, social science and community perspectives provides a comprehensive
insight on every aspect of HIV prevention efforts, be it virus in a test tube,
animal models or humans. This broad spectrum underscores the need for
multidisciplinary research involving numerous partnerships locally, nationally
and internationally.
I salute everyone present here for devoting your time to this worthy cause.
I have no doubt that you are on the right course to discovering a relevant HIV
prevention method soon. This discovery would come as a huge boost for South
Africa and the continent if the first efficacious product was tested and made
available on our continent.
I thank you for your attention.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
23 April 2006
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
