By Aduragbemi Omiyale
This news from Fidson Healthcare Plc will excite the more than 1.9 million HIV-infected people in Nigeria as the company has signed a strategic deal with a Chinese firm, Aidea Pharmaceutical Company Limited for the production of innovative drugs for the treatment of the disease.
The Nigerian company, in a statement, said it sealed the agreement in Yangzhou, China, on Monday, November 13, 2023, to address the medical challenges faced by infected persons in the country.
Fidson said it would collaborate with Aidea to manufacture, promote and sell products that would help with the treatment of HIV. The deal also gives room for both parties to engage in clinical research.
“The two companies agreed to share and combine their respective resources, technical expertise and positions in the market to collaborate on project development, market expansion, and other aspects by integrating their competitive advantages in the pharmaceutical field,” a part of the statement said.
The Nigerian pharmaceutical firm expressed optimism that the collaboration with its Chinese counterpart would further add value to the healthcare landscape in Nigeria and Africa.
It noted that the partnership holds promise as a significant growth driver for both companies, particularly as a major factor in the development of local pharmaceutical manufacturing in Nigeria.
The statement said the deal would also improve the healthcare and medical practice on the continent, as it is expected to be a sterling example of in-depth cooperation in the medical field between China and Nigeria.
“We are eagerly looking forward to this collaboration and we believe that the complementary strengths of both parties will inject new vitality into the medical field in Africa.
“This is also in line with our commitment to providing better and more accessible medicines for the people of Africa,” the chief executive of Fidson, Mr Fidelis Ayebae, said.
On his part, the Chairman of Aidea, Heliang Fu, said, “This collaboration marks an important step for Aidea Pharma in its commitment to global medical cooperation. By integrating our expertise and experience in the field of innovative drugs, we are confident in bringing greater well-being to African patients.”
