The pharmaceutical industry in Uganda is poised for a significant global impact after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted an application from Dei BioPharma for the review of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for liraglutide, a treatment for diabetes and weight loss, marketed under the brand name Victoza.
According to Dr. Mathias Magoola, the Managing Director of Dei BioPharma, the FDA’s decision, officially recorded on April 23, 2025, opens doors for the company’s entry into the lucrative market for GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that includes both liraglutide and semaglutide (Ozempic).
Following this development, industry analysts project that the GLP-1 market could soar from USD 53.46 billion in 2024 to over USD 322.85 billion by 2034, positioning the company as a global leader in generic versions (Biosimilars) of these drugs.
Magoola contends that the company estimates generating revenues of between USD 5–10 billion within the next three years from the marketing of these products alone.
“It is the intent of Dei BioPharma to earn enough foreign exchange to enable Uganda to pay off all of its IMF loans and other obligations,” Dr. Magoola noted, adding that Dei BioPharma is the first company in Africa to have completed the development of these drugs and filing evaluation papers with the U.S FDA.
Innovative Research and Development
Dr. Magoola also revealed that Dei BioPharma has developed biosimilars for these drugs and is working on an oral dosage form. As a result of this breakthrough, the company has filed over 100 patents with the USPTO, covering potential treatments and vaccines for various diseases.
Impact on Uganda’s Economy
The potential impact of this breakthrough by Dei BioPharma on Uganda’s economy is substantial. This, according to Magoola, will enable the company to earn enough foreign exchange to enable the government of Uganda to pay off its IMF (International Monetary Fund) loans and other obligations. The development of affordable biological drugs could also improve healthcare outcomes for millions of people in Uganda and beyond.
Government Support
The Ugandan government has pledged to support Dei BioPharma’s innovations, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni committing to fast-track regulatory reforms needed to facilitate international licensing of Ugandan-produced vaccines.
In a bid to extend support to this multibillion-dollar project, President Museveni in April this year reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Dei BioPharma endeavours. Museveni called for the quick enactment of the National Drug and Health Products Bill into law, which will enable the National Drug Authority (NDA) to attain World Health Organisation Maturity Level 3 status, an essential requirement for the global certification of locally produced pharmaceutical products from Dei BioPharma and other local pharmaceutical industries.
Dei BioPharma’s achievement is, therefore, a significant milestone for Uganda’s pharmaceutical industry, demonstrating the country’s potential to become a hub for pharmaceutical production and innovation in Africa.
With the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenue and improve healthcare outcomes, this development is set to have a lasting impact on Uganda’s economy and people.
It is important to note that to date, Dr. Magoola and his company have filed more than 100 patents with the USPTO, covering potential treatments and vaccines for a wide range of diseases, including cancer, HIV, Alzheimer’s, sickle cell disease, malaria, tuberculosis, and diabetes.