Daktari Biotechnology - Innovation-Focused Volume 1, May 2024

Volume 1, May 2024
DAKTARI BIOTECHNOLOGY
MEDICINES & VACCINES
By African Scientists and their
Friends for African Communities
and Beyond
INNOVATION-FOCUSED
Developing affordable, highquality
small molecules and
biologics/biosimilar drugs to
increase patient access to
innovative treatments.
CEO & COFOUNDER
WILSON O.
ENDEGE, PhD
APRIL,2024
Email: info@dktb.co.ke
Website:www.dktb.co.ke
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

A New Dawn in Development: The Transformative Power of
Daktari Biotechnology in Africa
Unveiling a Catalyst for Change and Innovation of Healthcare Products
and Services by African people for African Communities and Beyond
Introduction
In the shadow of a global health crisis, the
continent of Africa, with its 1.3 billion souls,
stood at a crossroads. The advent of COVID-
19 vaccines brought a glimmer of hope to the
world, yet the stark reality of ‘vaccine
apartheid' left many African nations,
including Kenya, in a waiting game fraught
with uncertainty.
It was against this backdrop that Kenya's
indomitable spirit began to forge a new
chapter. From the onset of the pandemic in
March 2020 to the arrival of the vaccine doses
in early 2021, the Kenyan narrative was one of
patience and perseverance. While affluent
nations administered shots, securing their
populations, Kenya—home to over 50 million
people—faced a stark disparity. The world
witnessed a poignant demonstration of
inequality as wealth dictated the pace of
vaccine rollout.
As the world battled the COVID-19 pandemic,
New York became an epicenter of the crisis,
with its struggles highlighting the virus's
lethal potential. The state recorded the
highest numbers in millions of confirmed
cases and deaths due to the virus. The stark
figures from New York, with its advanced
healthcare system, brought the severity of the
pandemic into sharp focus. At the height
both the pandemic, the state saw a rapid
succession of cases and fatalities that
overwhelmed even the most prepared
systems.
If we were to contemplate a similar
scenario unfolding in Kenya, a nation with
bustling cities and vast, remote areas, the
impact might have been devastating.
Kenya's population, although not the
same as that of New York, has higher
density areas where the virus could have
spread uncontrolled due to limited
healthcare infrastructure in place to
handle such an outbreak. Moreover, many
Kenyans live in rural areas where access to
healthcare is a significant challenge,
which could have compounded the
effects of the pandemic.
The delay in receiving vaccines, which did
not arrive until 2021, would have been a
critical period where the country could
only watch as many people perished. With
the global north securing the majority of
vaccine supplies early on, the global south
faced uncertainties that could have led to
dire consequences had the virus spread as
rapidly as it did in New York. However, this
scenario also underscored the urgent
need for self-reliance in vaccine
production and healthcare solutions, a
challenge that organizations like Daktari
Biotechnology are now taking up to
ensure Africa is better prepared for future
health crises.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

What is Daktari Biotechnology and what does it do?
Daktari Biotechnology Limited is an innovation-focused company with the mission to
develop and manufacture medicines for Africa. The company aspires to be a premier
bio-pharmaceutical entity within the African market and envisions a continent where
biologics and pharmaceuticals are sufficiently available in a timely manner.
The main goals of Daktari Biotechnology include:
Enabling access to high-quality, advanced therapies for chronic diseases where
medical needs are largely unmet, and treatment costs are high.
Developing high-quality, affordable modified long-acting small molecules and
biosimilar/biologics drugs aimed at expanding patient access to innovative
therapies.
Growing into a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that's pioneering in
Africa.
Transforming patient lives through innovative and inclusive healthcare solutions,
developing and producing a large portfolio of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines.
Establishing a product pipeline of small molecules, biosimilars, and vaccines
targeting a range of diseases including HIV, TB, Hepatitis, diabetes/blood pressure,
cancer, stroke, and inflammation.
Launching therapeutics in Kenya, the African continent, and beyond following the
opening of their R&D and manufacturing facilities to make an impact on Africa’s
medicines supply.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

Transforming Healthcare: The Strategic Impact
of Daktari Biotechnology in Kenya and Beyond
Daktari Biotechnology stands at the forefront of revolutionizing healthcare in Kenya and across
Africa, offering innovative solutions that enhance disease management and improve patient
outcomes by tailoring treatments to the unique genetic profiles and healthcare needs of the
African population. It comes with many benefits.
Brain Gain: Africa's Scientists Return to
Ignite a Health Revolution
The return of Africa's skilled scientists, educated and
seasoned in the world's top institutions, marks a pivotal
chapter in the continent's healthcare narrative. Their
homecoming carries the promise of transformation – a
transfer of global knowledge and cutting-edge innovation
tailored to Africa's unique healthcare landscape. In Kenya,
the impact of such a brain gain is profound. With its team of
experts versed in global best practices, Daktari
Biotechnology is emblematic of this seismic shift.
Wilson O. Endege, PhD
The organization, grounded in Kenyan soil, is not just
importing expertise; it's redefining healthcare possibilities
for the nation. By leveraging the acumen of its scientists,
Daktari Biotechnology is pioneering solutions that are
attuned to the intricate fabric of local health challenges.
This synergy of international experience and local
knowledge is the crucible from which groundbreaking
healthcare solutions are forged – solutions that are
sustainable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of
Kenyans.
Expanding beyond Kenya's borders, the ripple effect of such
an intellectual homecoming positions the entire African
continent at the cusp of a healthcare renaissance. The
significance of Daktari Biotechnology's mission resonates
across Africa, offering a blueprint for regional development.
Here, innovation isn't simply adopted; it's homegrown,
emerging from the very heart of African ingenuity.
By nurturing a local ecosystem of biotechnological
advancement, Daktari Biotechnology is not just solving
today's health issues but is also empowering the continent
to tackle future challenges head-on. The company's vision of
a self-sufficient African biopharmaceutical industry is a
testament to the potential that returns when Africa's sons
and daughters bring their expertise home. It's a vision that
aligns with the aspirations of the African Union's Agenda
2063, aspiring to a continent where science, technology, and
innovation drive sustainable development.
He is a scientific leader who
is based in the Boston
region and has in the last 30
years worked and done
research in academia
(Harvard Medical School
and Harvard School of
Public Health) and in
pharmaceutical
Biotechnology companies
in the town of Cambridge,
MA. He holds 5 patents in
the field of Cancer
biomarkers. He and his
partner have in the last six
years worked on the
innovation of one of the
latest technologies in
protein production in
human cells. He is one of
the Founders of Diaspora
University since the idea
started at WPI University in
Worcester, MA.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

DKTB Scientific Founders Profiles
Benson J. Edagwa,
PhD
Daktari Biotechnology
(DKTB) co-founder and
board member is an
associate professor at the
University of Nebraska
Medical Center. He is an
organic/medicinal chemist
who has an extensive
background in formulation
of small molecules and
development of new
strategies for the synthesis
of biologically active natural
products and their
unnatural analogs and their
application to human
diseases, such as HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis B, and
tuberculosis. He is listed as
a co-inventor of 13 U.S
patent applications. He coinvented
long-acting slow
effective release
antiretroviral therapy
(LASER ART) regimen with
potential for a once every
year dosing interval for
treatment and prevention
of HIV-1 and other viral
infections.
The first elimination of HIV-1
was demonstrated in a
humanized mouse model of
disease using a combination of
LASER ART and gene editing
technologies.
Frederick M.
Boyce, MD PhD
Co-founder & board
member is an innovator
and a molecular biologist
with extensive experience
and knowledge in plasmid
vector technology
development and
application. Previously
worked as Senior
Distinguished Research
Fellow at Sana
Biotechnology and for
many years as an Assistant
Professor at Harvard
Medical School/Mass
General Hospital (MGH). He
is the inventor of the
Bacmam baculovirus
technology with 8 issued
patents which have been
licensed to numerous
biotech and pharma
companies. He has broad
experience developing and
working with baculovirus
for protein expression in
insect and mammalian
cells.
Benard A. Ayanga,
PhD
DKTB board member is a
scientist and businessman
based in Houston Texas. He has
a PhD degree in Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology from
Ohio University, Athens Ohio. Dr.
Ayanga worked at both MD
Anderson Cancer Center and
Baylor College of Medicine in
Houston Texas where he did
research in Tumor biology using
animal models to study the
genetics of cancer biology and
the role diabetes plays in the
progression of kidney diseases.
At Baylor College of Medicine,
he characterized the epigenetic
mechanism of cancer of the
blood (Lymphoma). Dr. Ayanga
has experience in genetic
engineering of recombinant
cloning systems, mitochondria
dynamics, diabetic kidney
diseases and expression of
target genes using E. coli and
mammalian cells. He also has
experience in molecular
imaging techniques including
use of confocal and
deconvolution microscopy. Dr.
Ayanga currently is an Adjunct
Professor at Lonestar College in
Houston Texas.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

Patrick Shompole, BVM PhD
Chris Kemp, PhD
He is a scientist and businessman based in
Washington State and Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of
Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of
Nairobi, Master of Science in Immuno-parasitology,
and PhD in Hemo-parasitology from Washington
State University. He also holds Specialty certificates
in Dementia-Alzheimer Disease, Mental Illness and
Developmental Disabilities in Home Healthcare in
the State of Washington, USA. Dr. Shompole worked
as a Senior Research Officer and Head of the
Immunology and Biotechnology Laboratory at the
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kabete.
Concurrently, he works as the Kenya Resident
Scientist and Adjunct Professor for Washington
State University Animal Health Component under
the USAID Small-Ruminant Collaborative Research
Program. He has worked in the Department of
Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology at
Washington State University Pullman and University
of Idaho Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology where he worked extensively
on various aspects of infectious cattle diseases
especially in host-pathogen interactions. He is part of
the 40 Scholars co-founding Diaspora University
Town.
DKTB board member is the Founder
and former President of Kempbio
now known as Kemp Proteins, a
protein expression and development
services company based in Frederick,
Maryland.
Kemp Proteins CRO provides services
for its customers on large-scale
biomanufacturing for diagnostic and
pre-GMP applications of proteins. He
has over 30 years’ experience with
commercial baculovirus protein
expression.
The Scientific Founders Significance to
Dakati Biotechnology
The scientific founders of Daktari Biotechnology have significantly impacted medicine and vaccine
development. Dr. Wilson O. Endege has earned five patents in cancer biomarkers and innovated protein
production technologies. Dr. Benson J. Edagwa invented LASER ART therapy for HIV and developed
synthesis strategies for combating infectious diseases. Dr. Frederick M. Boyce created the Bacmam
baculovirus technology, advancing protein expression in biotech. Dr. Chris Kemp has enhanced largescale
biomanufacturing with his expertise in baculovirus protein expression. Dr. Benard A. Ayanga's
work on tumor biology and genetic engineering has advanced understanding of cancer and kidney
diseases. Dr. Patrick Shompole has explored host-pathogen interactions, aiding infectious disease
management. Their collective work has been crucial in developing modern healthcare solutions.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

Innovating Within: Africa’s Scientists Tailoring Localized
Medicines and Vaccines
The advent of Daktari Biotechnology in Kenya
heralds a transformative era in healthcare for
the continent. When medicines or vaccines
are manufactured with a specific population
in mind, such as African communities' diverse
genetic and environmental makeup, the
implications for health outcomes are
significantly enhanced. This specificity
ensures that treatments are not only more
effective but also mitigate potential adverse
reactions that may arise from a one-size-fitsall
approach typically derived from non-
African population data. Tailored healthcare
solutions mean that diseases that
disproportionately affect African populations,
including both infectious and noncommunicable
diseases, can be addressed
more efficiently and effectively.
Furthermore, conducting clinical trials within
African populations carries immense benefits.
It enriches the data pool with diverse genetic
backgrounds, which is crucial for the
development of medical interventions that
are both safe and effective for these
demographics. Additionally, local clinical trials
accelerate the availability of vital medicines
and vaccines, ensuring timely access to lifesaving
interventions. Daktari Biotechnology’s
commitment to advancing medicines and
vaccines production within Kenya signifies a
leap towards self-reliance in healthcare and
contributes to a sustainable model of health
security for the continent.
Improve Culturally Conscious Ethical Clinical Trials
The establishment of Daktari Biotechnology in Kenya and its ripple effect across Africa is poised
to improve the ethical landscape of clinical trials on the continent. For years, African
populations have participated in foreign-led clinical trials often without the assurance that the
resulting medical treatments would be accessible or fully suited to their specific needs. Daktari
Biotechnology's operations signal a shift towards more equitable and ethical research practices.
By conducting trials locally, the company ensures that studies are more culturally sensitive and
relevant to the local health challenges.
The benefits of Daktari's approach are multifaceted: local trials produce locally manufactured
medicines and vaccines for local populations. The research is more likely to account for the
genetic, environmental, and socio-economic factors that can influence health outcomes,
leading to more effective treatments for African populations.
Moreover, the local development and testing of medical interventions can foster trust within
communities, which is essential for the successful uptake of new treatments. This is especially
important given the historical skepticism that has sometimes surrounded clinical trials due to
ethical breaches in the past.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

Innovation in Action I: How Daktari Biotechnology is
Transforming HIV Treatment
The innovation of long-acting antiretroviral therapy (ART) developed by Daktari Biotechnology cofounder
Prof. Benson Edagwa and his colleagues’ is set to be a game-changer in the management of
HIV in Kenya and potentially across Africa. This form of treatment, involving just one or two doses a
year, addresses one of the biggest challenges in HIV care: medication adherence. The convenience of
fewer doses reduces the daily burden on individuals living with HIV, thereby increasing the likelihood
of maintaining consistent drug levels and achieving viral suppression while also reducing drug
toxicity that results from the current HIV medications that require frequent dosing to achieve
efficacy. This leap forward in treatment simplifies the lives of patients, improves clinical outcomes,
and can potentially reduce the costs associated with more frequent dosing. Daktari Biotechnology’s
initiative is an example of how local innovation is tailoring healthcare solutions to meet the specific
needs and challenges of African populations.
Innovation in Action II: Daktari Biotechnology Transforming Infectious
Diseases Animal Treatment with Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) Vaccines.
Controlling diseases through vaccination is considered one of the most effective ways to control
pathogens and prevent diseases in humans as well as in the veterinary field. Classical traditional
vaccines against animal viral diseases are based on inactivated or attenuated viruses, but new subunit
and virus-like particles vaccines developed using baculovirus expression system are gaining attention
from researchers in animal vaccine space. Virus-like particles (VLPs) produced using the baculovirus
expression technology represent one of the most appealing approaches opening interesting frontiers
in animal vaccines. VLPs are robust protein scaffolds exhibiting well-defined geometry and uniformity
that mimic the overall structure of the native virions but lack the viral genome. VLPs can stimulate
strong humoral and cellular immune responses and have been shown to exhibit self-adjuvanting
abilities. Two preventive vaccines developed in baculovirus against the classical swine fever virus and
three preventive vaccines against porcine circovirus type 2 are currently commercially available.
Unlike the traditional inactivated or attenuated viruses’ vaccines, in terms of safety, the fact that VLPs
lack any viral nucleic acid completely abolishes any of the risks associated with virus replication,
insertion, reversion, recombination or reassortment processes. Therefore, this removes safety issues
associated with whole-virus vaccine production and administration, relating to virus escape from
production facilities, emergence of reversion mutants or effects in immunocompromised individuals.
Daktari Biotechnology is developing several veterinary vaccines using its new Baculovirus Expression
Vector system. A prototype protein subunit Foot and Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) virus particles
vaccine and several others have been designed in this new system. The goal is to work closely with
Kemp Biosciences by applying the many years of experience in protein expression that Dr. Chris Kemp
the founder of Kemp Biosciences (Dr. Chris Kemp is a member of DKTB’s founding Board of Directors)
brings to support the success of DKTB protein therapeutics and vaccine development programs.
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.

Every Hand Counts: Uniting for Health Innovation in Africa
In the cradle of mankind, innovation is not
merely a concept but a crucial lifeline. Here
in Kenya, where the spirit of 'Harambee'—
our traditional call to unite—vibrates
through our collective efforts toward a
healthier future, Daktari Biotechnology
stands as a beacon of this unity. By weaving
together local expertise and global
partnerships, Daktari crafts vital medical
solutions deeply rooted in the needs of our
communities.
Join us as every hand is on deck in this
transformative journey, proving that we can
redefine healthcare in Kenya and across
Africa. Together, we grow stronger, pushing
forward toward a healthier tomorrow for all.
The potential for investment in Daktari
Biotechnology represents a significant
opportunity to advance healthcare in Kenya
and across Africa.
By investing in a company that focuses on
developing and manufacturing drugs
locally, investors are part of a movement
that aims to make medical treatment more
affordable and accessible. The local
production of drugs, such as the innovative
long-acting antiretroviral treatments
Daktari is developing, could drastically
reduce the cost and logistical challenges
associated with frequent dosing schedules,
thereby improving patient adherence and
overall health outcomes.
This approach supports the health sector
and stimulates local economies by creating
jobs and building the scientific
infrastructure necessary to sustain
innovation. Therefore, investing in Daktari
Biotechnology promises financial returns
and contributes to the broader social
impact, supporting sustainable
development goals in healthcare.
Thank you for reading!
For more details on their initiatives and
investment opportunities, visit the Daktari
Biotechnology website at www.dktb.co.ke
DAKTARI BIOTECHNOLOGY
PHONE:PHONE: +254 113 217148
WHATSAPP:+254 795 679 202
Email: info@dktb.co.ke
Website:www.dktb.co.ke
P. O. Box 420
Voi, Kenya, East Africa
Zip Code: 80300
By Joan Cheboswony M.P.H., M.Ed., P.G.D.E.