Diasporan biotech innovators co-develop monoclonal antibodies and genomic-driven solutions tailored for African patients.

Date: October 30, 2025

Kigali, Rwanda and Accra, Ghana -- In a landmark collaboration, Bio Usawa, a pioneering biotechnology company building Africa’s monoclonal antibody development and manufacturing capacity, and Yemaachi Biotech, a leader in African cancer genomics, have joined forces to accelerate precision medicine and pharmacogenomics for infectious diseases, cancer, and eye diseases across the continent.

The partnership combines Yemaachi’s extensive clinical partner network and expertise in genomics, biomarker discovery, and immunology with Bio Usawa’s strength in biologic drug development and manufacturing, creating a powerful bridge between Africa-based innovation and global scientific expertise.

Both organizations were founded by members of the African diaspora, underscoring the transformative power of connecting diaspora expertise with Africa-based talent. This partnership exemplifies how collaborative knowledge exchange can translate African genetic diversity into better, more equitable health outcomes for patients.

“By uniting African scientists at home and abroad, we’re building an ecosystem that delivers world-class, accessible therapies designed for African patients,” said Dr. Menghis Bairu, CEO & President of Bio Usawa.

“This collaboration shows how the African biotech ecosystem, supported by the Diaspora, can pioneer solutions that are globally relevant yet locally grounded,” added Dr. Yaw Bediako, CEO of Yemaachi Biotech.

Focus Areas 

• Pharmacogenomic Research: Studying how African genetic diversity influences response to therapies for infectious diseases, cancer, and eye diseases. 
• Therapeutic Co-Development: Combining genomic insights and biologic innovation to design monoclonal antibodies and companion diagnostics optimized for African populations. 
• Data & Biobank Integration: Building shared infrastructure to support personalized medicine, research, and clinical translation.
• Capacity Building: Strengthening Africa’s scientific skills and infrastructure, manufacturing, regulatory, and research ecosystem to enable sustainable precision medicine.

A Call to Funders and Partners

Bio Usawa and Yemaachi Biotech invite investors, global health funders, and development partners to join forces in accelerating this mission.

By investing in African biotech innovation, funders can help unlock locally driven, globally impactful solutions that improve patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.

About Bio Usawa 

Bio Usawa is a biotechnology company dedicated to building Africa’s end-to-end monoclonal antibody development and manufacturing capacity. Founded by members of the African diaspora, Bio Usawa focuses on biologic innovation for diseases disproportionately affecting African populations, while ensuring equitable access to advanced therapeutics across the continent. Headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, Bio Usawa is creating pathways for sustainable, Africa-based biopharmaceutical development and production. For more information, visit: www.biousawa.com, our Newsroom or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Yemaachi Biotech 

Founded in 2020, Yemaachi Biotech is a leader in advancing precision medicine through African genomics. Using cutting-edge immunogenomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence, Yemaachi is dedicated to accelerating the development of cancer detection and cure strategies which have high efficacy regardless of ethnicity. Headquartered in Accra, with offices in Washington DC and Nairobi, and a growing network of partners across Africa, Yemaachi is committed to building sustainable research and community partnerships that aid in the advancement of medicine and ultimately reduce the burden of cancer in Africa. For more information, visit: www.yemaachi.com.

Media Contact: 
Daniel Levine 
Levine Media Group 
+1 510-280-5405 
[email protected]