Algeria Sets Milestone in Health Sovereignty with Launch of Vaccine Development Center

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

A Strategic Alliance between Saidal, Madar Holding, and Algerian Researchers Paves the Way for Domestic Vaccine Production and Regional Leadership

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Algiers, Algeria | June 2nd, 2025 — Algeria has taken a decisive step toward achieving full health sovereignty with the launch of an ambitious project to produce its own vaccines—both human and veterinary—through the establishment of the country’s first scientific center for microbiology and vaccine development. The initiative was formalized on Monday through a landmark agreement signed between the public pharmaceutical giant Saidal, Madar Holding, and a research consortium of internationally renowned Algerian scientists.

The signing ceremony took place at the headquarters of the Ministry of Pharmaceutical Production, marking the birth of a groundbreaking joint-stock partnership aimed at creating a world-class scientific facility dedicated to the manufacture of vaccines. This strategic alliance brings together three essential pillars: Saidal, which will contribute its advanced pharmaceutical production infrastructure; Madar Holding, tasked with financing the project; and the scientific research firm, composed of leading Algerian experts, which will provide cutting-edge expertise and innovation.

According to the Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Wacim Kouidri, this initiative is a top priority for President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has supported the project from its earliest conceptual phase and is personally overseeing its advancement. “This is an innovative scientific hub that has received the direct and enthusiastic backing of the President of the Republic. It represents a powerful instrument in securing Algeria’s medical autonomy,” the minister affirmed.

The center is expected to play a critical role in preempting future epidemics, enabling the country to respond swiftly through cell therapy and early-stage vaccine intervention, Kouidri explained. By fortifying Algeria’s capacity to handle viral threats at their source, the project aims to transform the nation into a regional bastion of health resilience.

Researchers at the Heart of a Strategic Revolution

Saidal’s scientific advisor, Mourad Belkhelfa, emphasized that this unprecedented collaboration positions scientific research as the engine driving pharmaceutical progress. “This is the first venture of its kind where the scientific community serves as the driving force behind a national pharmaceutical initiative,” he noted. The creation of the microbiology center will ensure that Algeria can produce vaccines swiftly and independently when needed, further consolidating its medical preparedness.

Renowned virologist Professor Yahia Chebloune, a key figure in the research consortium and holder of numerous international patents in cellular therapy, underscored the growing threat of emerging zoonotic viruses—those transmitted from animals to humans. “In a vast country like Algeria, it is imperative to possess the infrastructure and technological means to defend public health. A globally accredited virology lab is our first line of defense,” he stated.

According to Prof. Chebloune, this defense also includes advanced cell therapy technologies, which must precede any vaccine development efforts. He stressed that the center should be equipped with all necessary tools to make Algeria a leader in the global fight against viral diseases.

A Boon for Livestock and National Agriculture

The vaccine development center is also expected to yield considerable benefits for the agricultural sector, particularly livestock breeders. By assisting in disease prevention and animal health preservation, the center will play a pivotal role in protecting the national herd and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases, especially those carried by wild birds to poultry—a major concern for both animal and human health.

Initially, research activities will commence within existing Saidal laboratories, while the construction of the full-fledged scientific center gets underway. “We are extremely proud to have achieved this milestone, which represents a significant contribution to the protection of Algerian public health,” Prof. Chebloune concluded.

A Strategic Leap Forward in National Health Security

Researcher Koureib Houssem hailed the project as a cornerstone of Algeria’s strategic health infrastructure, made possible by the facilitation and unwavering support of President Tebboune and the Ministry of Pharmaceutical Production. He underlined the project’s potential to strengthen Algeria’s national pharmaceutical production capacity and to mark Algeria’s entry into the global vaccine-producing nations.

Houssem also revealed progress on a complementary initiative: the establishment of a laboratory for testing on small animals and primates, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. “This will be a landmark facility for Algerian researchers, and I am confident it will allow us to produce vaccines for the first time in our history to effectively counter the threat of viral diseases,” he affirmed.

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