TIA Bioprocessing Platform

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Supports projects that aim to exploit biotechnology

The Bioprocessing Platform is a biotechnology facility that support projects that aim to exploit biotechnology in developing products and processes with commercial value and application.

The Platform supports technology development by providing a conducive technical and business environment to entrepreneurs and researchers, allowing the development of new biotechnology products and processes through fermentation bioprocess or bioproduct development, as well as antibody development for diagnostic innovations within South Africa, Africa and beyond.

Key Focus areas​

  • Flexible bioprocessing technology configurations to scale up processes from 500ml to 20L
  • Analytical chemistry services
  • Process development within a quality assurance environment and statutory regulations
  • Diagnostics: monoclonal antibody development and low volume precision dispensing technology
  • COVID-19 and other Infectious Disease Rapid Diagnostic Testing
  • Sound data management protocols and protection of user IP
  • Molecular – based research
  • Physical laboratory and administration space
  • Provide hands-on training for professional development in bioprocessing techniques

Key Projects

Sawubona Mycelium

The Bioprocessing Platform is currently supporting client, Sawubona Mycelium, a company that produces various mycelial bioactives through a fermentation bioprocess and of extraction particularly of β-glucans. The Sawubona process development has resulted in two product streams (filtrate and biomass) that have been tested to confirm efficacy as key additives for formulated skincare products. Sawubona Mycelium has since launched its own skin-care products, the Bluberyl hydration serum with microbiome support; and Bluberyl age-control serum.

Afrobodies

AfrobodiesTM, is an emerging and privately held biotechnology company that is producing recombinant nanobodies for the African and global life-sciences, agricultural, immunodiagnostic and therapeutic markets, which are a first for Africa. The nanobodies developed by Afrobodies played a role in the COVID-19 pandemic response as they were able to target the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) hence could be deployed for use as a potential therapeutic in patients with COVID-19. The nanobodies were shown to neutralise the live novel coronavirus as well as the South African variant in external laboratories.

TokaBio Diagnostics

TokaBIO partnered with the Bioprocessing Platform to design and commission a mobile diagnostic facility to support the government response to COVID-19. The initial focus of the diagnostic facility was designing assays for COVID-19, however due to the recent decline in the COVID-19 cases, the facility has shifted its mission to target the current most prevalent infectious diseases affecting the general population and posing a public threat. TokaBIO and the platform are now working towards accrediting the facility for HIV drug resistance testing methods using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The mobile facility which is hosted at the Platform was funded by Toyota South Africa.