From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
Management of Africa Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development (ACEPRD), University of Jos, has said the centre has produced the first indigenous anti-snake venom vaccine.
Director, ACEPRD, Prof. Abraham Dogo, made the disclosure recently in Jos, during the official commissioning of the centre by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sabestine Maimako.
“Notable among the products and patents and innovation is the first indigenous anti-snake venom vaccine, scabies and other skin diseases, soap, cream, lotion, COVID-19 and malaria teas respectively,” the director revealed.
The director also stated that the centre is currently conducting clinical trials in silymarin drug against COVID-19.
Delivering his address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sabestine Maimako, charged management of the centre to maintain international standard and best practices in medicine.
The VC called on the public to patronise the centre for its quality of research and production been done at the centre.
Earlier, Prof Abraham Dogo, told the gathering that the centre has trained 312 masters and PhD students, some who are staff of the University of Jos, in bioinformatic and genomics, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, pharmacognosy and clinical pharmacy.
It was learnt that the newly commissioned ACEPRD was sponsored by the World Bank to help boost research programme in Africa, as a means of sustaining research activities.
According to the director, the centre partners with the University of Lome, University of Mali, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, with Abomey Calavi University, Benin republic.
