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Primary health care depends on
the early detection of disease. With increasing incidence of
chronic diseases and aging populations, health monitoring becomes
increasingly important. The international trend is towards
self-monitoring at home, and this is significant in Africa where
rural communities may be far from medical centres and unable to
afford high medical expenses. There is also a national cost
associated with chronic disease that can be diminished by careful
monitoring.
South Africa presently has a
strong presence in the international diagnostic enzyme market, but
to maintain this position and expand, we have to compete with
improved "designer" enzymes that are being developed.
In this project state-of-the-art
biotechnology will be used to produce commercial designer enzymes
in bulk with improved stability to increase product shelf life and
reduce cost. It is expected that the products will be mainly
exported into the global market contributing to a positive trade
balance, while the intellectual property will remain solely within
South Africa. Further advanced technology enzyme applications for
product value addition will be developed.
This is an ideal opportunity and
practical way for us to expand the South African health care
products market. |