Genius Biotherapeutics

Genius Biotherapeutics is a South African-owned biotechnology company dedicated to the manufacture of modern biotechnology products for human pharmaceutical use as well as the development of biotechnology infrastructure and skills across the African continent. It was established in 1982 and is the largest biotechnology company in this field in South Africa. Genius Biotherapeutics has a track record of taking product from development to market. Work commencing in 1989 resulted in 1997 in the registration with the South African Medical Council of two formulations of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) in South Africa, the worlds largest biotechnology product based on sales value (US$ 12.4 billion). To date, Genius Biotherapeutics is the sole South African company that provides erythropoietin (REPOTIN®) to the South African state health department. Genius Biotherapeutics has 22 worldwide patents which attract significant value. In addition to this, it has a product portfolio that currently enjoys global revenues of US$ 12 billion. Genius Biotherapeutics has made significant strides in the international scientific biotechnology community with three of its products being rated in the top ten by a prominent international publication. Ribotech (Pty) Ltd, a Cape Town based subsidiary of Genius Biotherapeutics is making preparations to enter global biopharmaceutical markets through the manufacture of G-CSF. Biopad, a biotechnology regional innovation centre established by the Department of Science and Technology, has invested US$ 5.3 m which will enable Ribotech (Pty) Ltd to develop G-CSF for world markets. Genius Biotherapeutics has a strong pipeline of patent protected technologies focused principally on the enhancement of cellular immune response in humans for chronic viral diseases, such as HIV, HBV and HCV.