Nairobi: Merck, a prominent science and technology company from Germany, has entered into a significant agreement with Universal Corporation Ltd, a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, to locally produce a new pediatric medication for schistosomiasis, commonly known as Bilharzia. The collaboration, which was announced during Merck's delegation visit to Kenya from October 27 to 31, is endorsed by the Ministry of Health and aligns with the government's agenda to enhance local pharmaceutical production and boost self-reliance in essential drug manufacturing.
According to Kenya News Agency, this partnership marks a pivotal milestone in Kenya's battle against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly schistosomiasis, which poses a considerable public health challenge. Currently, over six million Kenyans are infected, with an additional 15 million at risk, especially within the Lake Victoria basin and western regions of the country. Children in fishing communities are among the most affected, often facing anemia, stunted growth, and long-term organ damage as a result of the parasitic disease.
Merck has been a leader in global efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis for nearly two decades. Since 2007, the company has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) to donate over two billion tablets of praziquantel, facilitating treatment for nearly 900 million individuals across 47 countries. The new pediatric formulation, also based on praziquantel, was developed by the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, which Merck co-founded and leads. It specifically targets preschool-aged children not yet included in mass drug administration programs.
The agreement with Universal Corporation now sets the stage for a large-scale rollout through local production, establishing Kenya as a central hub for regional NTD elimination efforts. At the official event held at Universal Corporation Ltd in Kikuyu Sub-County on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Wycliff Omondi, Head of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Program at the Ministry of Health, welcomed the partnership as a crucial move towards self-reliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Universal Corporation's CEO, Palu Dhanani, praised the agreement as a transformative milestone for Kenya's healthcare and manufacturing sectors. He emphasized that the collaboration supports public health objectives while contributing to job creation and industrial growth. Meanwhile, Merck's Hong Chow highlighted the initiative as a demonstration of Merck's long-term commitment to enhancing healthcare access across Africa, combining global innovation with local expertise.
German Ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, delivered closing remarks, expressing the German government's continued support for partnerships that strengthen healthcare systems and promote industrial development in Africa. He noted that this collaboration not only addresses a pressing medical need but also supports Kenya's economic and technological progress.
The local production of the pediatric Bilharzia medicine will aid the government's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program and the National Neglected Tropical Diseases Master Plan 2023-2027, which aims to eliminate schistosomiasis and other NTDs through prevention, treatment, and health system strengthening. Hong Chow reiterated Merck's long-term vision for Africa, emphasizing the company's commitment to building resilient health systems by investing in local manufacturing capacity and empowering countries to independently tackle diseases.
The partnership is anticipated to position Kenya as a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing hub, integrating public health priorities with economic growth, and reinforcing long-term collaboration between Kenya and Germany.