Fidson signs MoU with Japanese firm for Africa’s healthcare advancement

IN a major step that will change the face of healthcare in Africa, a delegation from Fidson Healthcare Plc, the top pharmaceutical maker in Nigeria, announced a strengthened strategic partnership with Ohara Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese company.

The news, marking a new and promising chapter in the partnership, was announced during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), a premier venue encouraging deeper ties between Africa and Japan.

Led by the Managing Director and CEO, Mr Abiola Adebayo, the delegation – which also included Fidson’s Finance Director, Imokha Ayebae, and Business Development and Marketing Director, Oshoke Ayebae – disclosed that the expanded partnership will see Ohara supporting Fidson’s capital raise.

According to him, the partnership is to also provide advice based on insights from the Japanese pharmaceutical industry that will expand the capabilities of Fidson to produce more specialised medicines for the management of diverse disease conditions.

Addressing journalists during the expo, Mr Abiola Adebayo expressed his satisfaction with the company’s participation in the event, stating that it marks a significant milestone in the history of the Fidson-Ohara relationship.

According to him, “Putting this strategic alliance on a world stage like TICAD emphasizes the fact that the Fidson-Ohara collaboration has come to stay. By leveraging Ohara’s technical know-how and experience, the partnership has strengthened local production capacity, improved the quality and affordability of medicines, and ultimately reduced the country’s dependence on foreign supplies.

“This deeper strategic commitment by Ohara is expected to accelerate the transfer of more advanced manufacturing processes and research capabilities, enabling Fidson to produce a wider range of high-quality, locally made medicines, including specialised drugs.

“This enhanced capacity, combined with access to Ohara’s portfolio of innovative drugs, will position Fidson to better meet the growing demand for essential and life-saving medicines in Africa.

“The intention by Ohara to deepen commitment in Fidson is a very welcome idea that will remarkably scale up Fidson’s operations. It will enable Fidson to expand capabilities into areas that are highly critical to Africa’s healthcare needs, like API production and other breakthrough innovations pioneered by Ohara.”

In his statement, the President and CEO of Ohara Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Dr Seiji Ohara, said, “We at Ohara are delighted to have now signed a Memorandum of Understanding based on this trust, allowing us to explore ways to further strengthen our relationship with Fidson.

“Going forward, we hope to contribute to the realisation of two key values—the growth of Fidson’s business and the mission of saving more lives—by maintaining our excellent partnership and connecting them with the latest innovations and technologies.”

The collaboration serves as a powerful model for how international partnerships can drive structural transformation in Africa’s healthcare sector, moving it from a consumption-based model to a production-driven one.

The foundation of the Fidson-Ohara partnership was first laid in July 2019, following Fidson’s rights issue. The core of this collaboration was the transfer of expertise and innovation from Ohara, a company specialising in medicines for various critical therapeutic areas, particularly paediatric oncology and generic medicines. The partnership agreement was a direct response to Nigeria’s over-reliance on imported medicines.

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