API Innovation Cluster

API Innovation Cluster

The DSTI/TIA/CSIR Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Innovation Cluster (APIIC) drives the technology development and commercialisation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) manufacturing in South Africa, by integrating modern manufacturing technologies, such as continuous flow chemistry and biocatalysis, in partnership across academia and industry. The APIIC is building the capability to produce essential medicines locally and to develop the scarce skills the sector needs.

Contact information:

Dr Jenny-Lee Panayides
Head: API Innovation Cluster and CSIR Chief Research
@email

Dr Duduetsang Saku 
Business Development Manager
@email


 

 

Capabilities 

 

API Innovation

The APIIC integrates diverse capabilities across the national system of innovation to support pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Africa. We do this by moving a pipeline of locally developed API production processes from concept through to pilot-readiness at our implementing partner facilities, the API+ Laboratories hosted at CPT Pharma and CSIR FuturePHARMA. Our approach to process development applies modern manufacturing technologies to make the local production of essential medicines faster, greener and more cost-effective. Alongside the technology, the APIIC develops the talent base for industry uptake.

Our facilities

genomics
API+ Laboratory

The API+ Laboratory at CPT Pharma extends the APIIC’s capabilities into an established industry setting, where API production processes can be developed and de-risked with this expertise from the onset. The API+ Laboratory focuses on batch-based process development up to bench scale, with a co-located CPT Pharma cGMP pilot plant to allow for the validation of human API manufacturing processes at a scale of ten times less than the commercial plant.

Botanical processing
CSIR FuturePHARMA Facility

The PMT provides a range of near-net shape processing facilities providing services in additive manufacturing, metal powder atomisation and metal injection moulding, including general powder metallurgy processing of metallic alloys and components. The group’s focus is on advanced materials and lightweight alloys, providing expert support in product development, rapid prototyping, process development and materials qualification and testing. The PMT facility also support batch or pilot production to support process or product development to local companies as a means of de-risking the potential adoption of these advanced manufacturing technologies as part of their core manufacturing capabilities.