Foundation Stone Laid for GENNVAX, the Region’s Largest Fully Integrated Vaccine Manufacturing Facility

Egypt has taken a significant step toward strengthening its biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities with the foundation stone ceremony of the GENNVAX manufacturing facility, set to become the largest fully integrated vaccine production plant in the region. Located within the First Industrial Sector of Orascom Industrial Parks, this project represents a strategic step toward localizing the production of biological medicines, particularly vaccines, and strengthening Egypt’s long-term drug security.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, brought together a high-level group of ministers, ambassadors, and leaders of Egypt’s healthcare and pharmaceutical authorities. Attendees included Eng. Hassan El Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population; Mr. Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone; and Eng. Amr El-Batrik, CEO of Orascom Industrial Parks.

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Senior health officials were also present, among them Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority; Dr. Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, Advisor to the President for Health and Prevention Affairs; Dr. Nima Abid, WHO Representative in Egypt; and Dr. Hisham Stait, Chairman of the Egyptian Authority for Unified Procurement. The event further welcomed Major General Dr. Mohamed Hegazy, Director of the Armed Forces Medical Services Administration, alongside GENNVAX’s international partners, technology transfer licensors, company leadership, and prominent figures from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors in Egypt and the region.

Designed as a fully integrated vaccine manufacturing complex, the GENNVAX facility will operate across the entire production cycle, covering both upstream and downstream processes. Officials described the project as a cornerstone investment that supports Egypt’s Vision 2030 by advancing vaccine localization, enhancing export readiness, and strengthening the country’s position as a regional manufacturing hub. They also highlighted the critical role of international partnerships and technology transfer in elevating local pharmaceutical capabilities and quality standards.

Industry leaders echoed this view, noting that the facility adds meaningful depth to Egypt’s healthcare infrastructure. With advanced production capabilities and compliance with global quality benchmarks, the plant is expected to meet domestic demand while opening new export opportunities, particularly across Africa and the Middle East. At the same time, it is set to contribute to innovation and the development of highly skilled national talent capable of competing on a regional and international level.

The project is being developed on Orascom Industrial Parks’ land within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, leveraging the area’s advanced infrastructure and integrated industrial ecosystem. This location further reinforces the zone’s role in attracting strategic, high-value investments aligned with national priorities.

In addition, GENNVAX has been awarded the Golden License issued by the Prime Minister, in recognition of its expected contribution to generating foreign currency through exports to African and global markets. The facility is being constructed in line with the highest international quality standards and has been designed from the outset to qualify for WHO Prequalification (WHO PQ), ensuring its ability to access international procurement channels. Backed by a total investment of USD 150 million, the project is expected to generate between 500 and 700 direct jobs, underscoring its economic as well as strategic value.

Once operational, the plant will be the largest of its kind in the region. It is set to produce 29 vaccines and serums through technology transfer agreements with 15 international partners, supporting national immunization programs while addressing future development needs. Annual production capacity is expected to reach 270 million doses per single production line operating on a two-shift system. To support this operation, a fully integrated digital infrastructure will ensure high levels of efficiency, traceability, and quality control. The facility is also designed to serve markets across Africa and the Middle East.

Beyond that, sustainability is a core element of the project’s design. The GENNVAX facility has been developed as an environmentally responsible, green facility, relying in part on solar energy solutions in line with Egypt’s national green transformation strategy.

Commenting on the project, Mr. Adam El Daba, Chairman of El Daba Holding and Chairman of GENNVAX, said that recent improvements in Egypt’s macroeconomic indicators played a decisive role in moving forward with the investment. He pointed to the strength of foreign currency reserves, policy stability, and an improving investment climate as key factors attracting capital, particularly in strategic sectors with long-term economic impact.

Reflecting the company’s long-term vision for the project, Dr. Nibal Dahaba, shareholder and Managing Director of GENNVAX, described the foundation stone ceremony as the beginning of a new chapter for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in Egypt. She noted that GENNVAX operates with a long-term strategic vision built on strong international partnerships and advanced technological infrastructure, aiming to deliver innovative vaccine solutions that meet global standards and serve public health needs in Egypt and across Africa.

In parallel, and as part of its commitment to knowledge localization, GENNVAX has established the GENNVAX Academy for Continuing Medical Education. The academy is currently delivering advanced capacity-building programs for professionals from leading national and international regulatory bodies, including the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) and the Unified Procurement Authority (UPA), with the aim of ensuring the sustained application of global quality standards across local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

At the corporate level, GENNVAX is a subsidiary of El Daba Holding, a leading national group founded in 1957, with operations in Egypt and several international markets, including Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and multiple African countries.

Overall, the project aligns closely with the state’s policy to localize pharmaceutical manufacturing and expand capacity in critical biotechnological industries. It reflects Egypt’s broader commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment that supports high-value national projects, strengthens healthcare resilience, and reinforces the country’s position as a regional hub for vaccine production and development across the Middle East and Africa.