In a major leap for African pharmaceutical innovation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially accepted an application from Uganda’s Dei BioPharma to review its generic version of liraglutide, a blockbuster drug used to treat diabetes and support weight loss.
The FDA decision, logged on April 23, 2025, opens a critical door for Uganda to enter the global market for high-demand metabolic treatments. Liraglutide is part of a growing class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar and reduce appetite.
These drugs, including well-known brands like Victoza and Ozempic, have seen global demand skyrocket. The market is expected to grow from $53 billion in 2024 to over $322 billion by 2034, making it one of the most lucrative spaces in modern medicine.
Dei BioPharma, based in Matugga near Kampala, is led by Ugandan scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Matthias Magoola, who has positioned the company as Africa’s first developer of affordable biosimilars generic versions of complex biological drugs. With FDA review underway, the company projects potential revenues of $5–10 billion over the next three years from this product alone.
A NEW HOPE FOR ACCESSIBLE TREATMENT
What sets Dei BioPharma apart is not just its African roots, but its ambition to make once-elite medicines accessible and affordable worldwide. The company is pioneering an oral version of liraglutide, replacing the need for painful daily injections with a pill, an innovation expected to expand access dramatically.
“This drug is more than a commercial opportunity,” said Dr. Magoola.
“It’s a chance to improve millions of lives and give Uganda a stake in solving global health problems. Our mission is to earn enough foreign exchange to free Uganda from foreign debt.”
In scientific terms, GLP-1 agonists like liraglutide work by mimicking a natural hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. Recent studies also show they could help prevent or manage other conditions like heart disease, neurological disorders, and even some cancers.
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN AFRICA
Dei BioPharma is the first company in Africa to fully develop this kind of biosimilar and submit it for review by the FDA, an achievement that puts Uganda on the pharmaceutical world map. While global pharmaceutical giants dominate this field, Dei BioPharma is proving that Africa, too, can innovate and compete.
The FDA acceptance adds to a growing list of scientific wins for the company. Under Dr. Magoola’s leadership, Dei BioPharma has filed over 100 patents in the United States for treatments and vaccines targeting diseases ranging from malaria and tuberculosis to sickle cell, Alzheimer’s, HIV, and cancer.
Last year, the company submitted its pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) application to the FDA for RNAT-89, an advanced drug to treat kidney failure, cancer-related anaemia, and blood disorders.
The FDA gave a preliminary green light, an extremely rare achievement for an African-based firm. Dei BioPharma also holds patents for a universal malaria vaccine, mRNA vaccines for HIV and HPV, and a guided RNA therapy for cancer that disrupts mutated genes at their root.
In January 2025, the U.S. Patent Office approved a universal Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine, which is expected to save Uganda billions in veterinary costs and reduce reliance on imports. The global scientific community has taken notice.
Dr. Magoola was honoured with the African Excellence & Personality Award in Ghana this April, named Best Researcher at the 2024 International Molecular Biologist Awards, and celebrated in India for contributions to vaccine development.
He is now a full member of Sigma Xi, one of the world’s oldest and most respected scientific honour societies. But none of this would be possible without national support. In a recent meeting at State House Entebbe, President Yoweri Museveni pledged fast-track reforms to help Uganda’s pharmaceutical sector meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
The proposed National Drug and Health Products Act, once passed, will allow Uganda’s National Drug Authority to qualify for WHO global certification, opening doors for export and international collaboration.
A VISION ANCHORED IN AFRICA
Dei BioPharma is currently building a state-of-the-art drug and vaccine manufacturing facility in Matugga. Once completed, it will be one of Africa’s most advanced pharma hubs, aiming to produce affordable medicines for local and international markets alike.
“Our dream,” says Dr. Magoola, “is to make Uganda a centre of pharmaceutical excellence where African-born innovation serves the world.”
With the FDA review now underway, Dei BioPharma is no longer just a Ugandan success story it is a global one in the making.
Dei Biopharmacutical,thanks for coming up to help we ,abafuna moola to combat these tropical diseases, including Diabetes 2.Personal I’m taking kombigilyese 5g/1000 and Foxiga 40g for a month .This is very expensive for me.I spend almost 455,000 on each refil.l need to know how I can access your product with relative ease. Thank you Doctor for your unwavering efforts always. Lameck 0702646601