FIDSON Healthcare Plc has expanded its partnership with Japanese pharmaceutical company, Ohara Pharmaceutical Company Limited, in a move designed to strengthen local drug production and improve access to quality medicines in Africa.

The announcement was made with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the firms during the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), a platform dedicated to fostering stronger ties between Japan and African nations.

Fidson’s Managing Director and CEO, Mr Abiola Adebayo, who led the company’s delegation to the conference, said the renewed alliance would enable Ohara to support Fidson’s capital raise and provide technical expertise from the Japanese pharmaceutical industry.

He explained that the collaboration would enhance the company’s ability to produce more specialised medicines for managing diverse disease conditions.

Adebayo described the development as a milestone in the history of the Fidson-Ohara relationship, noting that showcasing the partnership on a global stage like TICAD9 underscored its long-term importance. He recalled that the collaboration was first established in July 2019 following Fidson’s rights issue, with a focus on knowledge transfer and innovation to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines.

According to him, the partnership has strengthened local production capacity, improved the affordability and quality of drugs, and positioned the company to scale up operations in critical areas of healthcare. He added that the new phase of the alliance would accelerate the transfer of advanced manufacturing processes and research capacity, allowing the company to produce a broader range of high-quality, locally made medicines, including specialised drugs.

The President and CEO of Ohara Pharmaceutical, Dr Seiji Ohara, said the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was built on trust established since the partnership began. He stated that Ohara was committed to supporting Fidson’s growth and contributing to the mission of saving more lives by connecting the Nigerian firm with the latest pharmaceutical technologies and innovations.