The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, will launch the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Technology Innovation Cluster on Friday 11 March, at the recently commissioned API Cluster Technology Development Laboratory in Pretoria.  

The hybrid event will see the unveiling of the state-of-the-art laboratory that will be accessible to universities and other stakeholders.

APIs are the biologically active components used to make finished pharmaceutical products such as tablets and capsules.  South Africa's heavy reliance on API imports is one of the factors behind the high cost of health care locally.  The country currently spends approximately R15 billion a year on imported APIs, and the cluster is expected to help reduce these costs significantly.  

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The API Technology Innovation Cluster is an initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation, the Technology Innovation Agency (an entity of the Department), and North-West University, and will also involve other universities and industry players.

The media are invited to attend the launch as follows:

Date:       Friday, 11 March 2022

Time:      11:00 – 13:00 (CAT)

Venue:   CPT Pharma, 45 Battery Crescent, Waltloo, Pretoria (GPS coordinates: 25°43'37.2"S 28°19'35.0"E)

To attend virtually, please follow the link to register https://dst-gov-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PCWNStuNQMKaqrbyYkV8Jw

Please note that strict COVID-19 protocols will be observed at the launch.

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation and partners.

For media enquiries and to confirm attendance, please contact –

• Veronica Mohapeloa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 083 400 5750
• Kagiso Ntanga at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 082 808 9180
• Zeno John at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 083 522 4555