Biocon Biologics signs an MoU with CSSC

Bengaluru: Biocon Biologics Ltd, in continuation of its Mission 10 cents affordable insulin program for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) on December 15.

Tanzania will be the first country in Africa that will benefit from this collaboration between Biocon Biologics, and CSSC. CSSC, a faith-based organization active in Africa, works closely with the government as well as international and national partners to facilitate health and education services.

As a leading global insulin player, Biocon Biologics, a fully integrated 'pure play' biosimilars company and a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, is helping unlock universal access to quality insulin in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by making recombinant human insulin (rh-insulin) available for less than 10 US cents per day as a part of its 'Mission 10 cents' program.

Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. With an estimated 1 million diabetes patients, Tanzania is among the top 5 countries for the number of people with diabetes in Africa. An estimated 19.4 million adults aged 20-79 years were living with diabetes in the IDF Africa Region in 2019, representing a regional prevalence of 4 per cent. Africa is the region with the highest proportion of undiagnosed diabetes, with 60 per cent of adults currently living with diabetes unaware of their condition.

The program is expected to roll-out early next year and will include community-based health promotion, disease awareness campaigns, screening programs, capacity building of health facilities and training of healthcare professionals.

Biocon Biologics' Mission 10 Cents to Unlock Affordable Access to Quality Insulins In the run-up to the 100th anniversary of insulin, Biocon Biologics had unveiled its 'Mission 10 cents' program in 2019 to unlock universal access to high quality human insulin. The Company is offering recombinant human insulin (rh-insulin) at less than 10 US cents per day, assuming a daily dosage of 40 IU, in LMICs for vials sourced by the government directly from the Company. This is much lower when compared to the blended median patient prices in LMICs of US$ 9 per 10 ml vial1 translating to 36 US cents/ day.