Friday, 28 February. With the aim of stimulating dialogue amongst stakeholders within the indigenous and traditional medicine industry, The Innovation Hub, the innovation agency of Gauteng Province recently held Innov8 Bio-economy – a seminar hosted at its base in Tshwane, Gauteng, on 26 February 2020. Under the appropriate theme “The development of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS)-based medicine - how far have we come?”, the evening featured a panel of experts who looked into the prospects of the commercialisation, institutionalisation and integration of IKS-based medicine into mainstream pharmaceutical markets.

Dr Chamunorwa Togo – General Manager for the Bio-economy at The Innovation Hub – welcomed attendees to this salient event. “Indigenous and traditional medicines play a large role in the lives of many South Africans, it is time that we look into this informal industry and see where the opportunities lie for its development and promotion, for the benefit of practitioners, patients and the country as a whole.”

Traditional medicine is popular worldwide

Natural products and traditional medicines form a significant part of healthcare delivery in many countries, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating that 80% of the world's population uses traditional medicine. In South Africa, with extensive plant life and great biological diversity, there is approximately 60% of the population that consult traditional healers. “Traditional medicines are far easier to access for most South Africans. The fact that they are available in rural areas and at lower costs than pharmaceuticals makes it an obvious choice,” reported Dr Togo.

However, he warned that there are many challenges presented by this industry. A prominent hurdle is in the assurance of the quality, efficacy, and safety of IKS-based medicine. Additionally, the stigma regarding the use of traditional medicines poses a problem. “It is for these reasons that we invited you here this evening,” said Dr Togo. “There is potential to be unlocked here, and The Innovation Hub is well-positioned to get the wheels turning. We are passionate about social and economic development and have the infrastructure to help realise the full benefits of this industry. Our access to world-class laboratories, technological infrastructure, business mentors and our network of experts in wide-ranging fields from academia to large businesses, means we are ready to embrace these challenges and opportunities.”

Exemplifying The Innovation Hub’s strong and far-reaching network, five prestigious representatives from government, academia and industry formed the programme for the evening. Fhatuwani Mbedzi, Director of Traditional Medicine at the Department of Health, spoke about the institutionalisation of traditional medicine in South Africa. He stressed the importance of identifying policies and practise gaps. “We need to tackle these gaps and fully understand the industry and what it comprises before we can truly look at new initiatives. An IKS-based medicine policy can help in directing these initiatives to ensure that they are targeted, relevant, effective and fair to the communities and individuals involved.”

With the view of learning from success stories, Dr Weiyang Chen, a traditional Chinese Medicine Expert-based at the Tshwane University of Technology, provided the Chinese perspective on IKS-based medicine. She emphasised the importance of strong science and technology capabilities when looking at mainstreaming traditional medicine. “In China, they take great care in identifying and extracting the active compound from medicinal plants. This is a scientifically rigorous process and will require the South African industry to acquire the right resources – technological and human.’’

Martin Magwaza, Founder and Managing Director of Tautomer, shared his insights on the integration of IKS-based medicine into mainstream pharmaceutical markets. Tautomer is a healthcare company dedicated to finding new innovative and effective therapies across the continent through coordination with stakeholders and government. With experience in commercialising medicinal plants for skincare through its partner company, 3Sixty Biomedicine, he stressed the importance of innovation and clear consideration of the market needs in the process. “I don’t just mean innovation in science and computing. When it comes to getting products to market, you need to look at innovative business models. We will need to think creatively.”

Human element not to be overlooked

While science and technology are sure to be vital in the success of any IKS-medicine commercialisation endeavours, South Africa must consider its people along the way. Phephisile Maseko, Traditional Healer and Director at Phephisa, was present to provide a practitioner’s and bio-entrepreneurs perspective. “When undertaking this venture into commercialisation, we need to consider the beneficiation of knowledge carefully. Communities, where these medicines originated, should see benefits from these endeavours. The pharmaceutical industry is acquisitive, and we must advocate for our local communities.”

Professor Mamza Mothibe from Rhodes University followed, discussing SA perspective on IKS-based medicine. “We are responsible for safeguarding the culture and traditions involved with IKS-based medicine, and we must ensure we uphold this responsibility.” She mentioned that collaboration with experienced horticulturists would be vital in ensuring that any medicinal plants cultivated outside of their naturally occurring areas maintain their properties and are fully replicated as if “home-grown”. This will ensure the integrity of success of any developments in this field.

The Innov8 Bio-economy event was a success, with discussions opening up a range of solutions, suggestions and initiatives that have the potential to take African IKS-based medications to the next level on the global market and would yield a great socio-economic impact.

The Innovation Hub- “#We guide today so that you can build tomorrow”.

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For more information, please contact:
Linah Nematandani
Communications and Events Manager
lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com
(+27) 12 844 0030/ (+27) 71 673 9964
Twitter: @InnovHub
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About GGDA
The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), is an agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED).GGDA is the implementing arm of the GDED and assists the department in leading, facilitating and managing sustainable job creation and inclusive economic growth and development in the Gauteng City Region.

About The Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub, a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is the innovation agency of the Gauteng province and is responsible for managing Africa’s first internationally accredited Science and Technology Park of the same name, and is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP). Strategically located in Tshwane, South Africa's executive capital in the ‘smart’ province of Gauteng, The Innovation Hub implements initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy strategy to advance the economic development and growth of the Province through innovation. The Innovation Hub has created unique spaces, in Tshwane and the rest of the Gauteng province, for high-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper. For more information visit www.theinnovationhub.com