Prime Minister (PM) Dr Moeketsi Majoro has said the government is “committed” to funding the National University of Lesotho (NUL)’s COVID medicine currently on trial phases.
This Dr Majoro told the Senate last week.
The clinical trials for these COVID-19 drugs which are produced by the NUL Scientists require about M7 million.
Senator Professor Nqosa Mahao had asked him to apprise the august house on how soon will the government sponsor this project and to table short, medium and long term plans to invest heavily in research, innovation and development for the country in the next 20 years.
The Scientists working on this project were frustrated by the lack of funding leading to a lack of progress.
This drug has been clouded by controversy over the ownership between NUL Scientists and the government.
Dr Lerato Seleteng-Kose (Botanist), also the lead researcher in the development of the drug, said “The samples were initially subjected to toxicity tests at the Pharmacy Department of the National University of Lesotho in June 2020, where they were found to be non-toxic. Then in July 2020, the samples were screened against Coronavirus at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria. The samples were found to be active against two strains of the virus (SARS-Cov-2 and MERS Cov), as well as being non-toxic against animal cells. It is important to note that these were in-vitro tests (tests conducted in the laboratory). Therefore, [invasive] tests (pre-clinical and clinical tests, which would be performed on animals and humans) are required before the samples can be regarded as treating Covid-19.”
The PM intimated that the government could exploit the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC) between Lesotho and South Africa on this NUL innovation. The JBCC is an agreement between these two neighbours to pursue a strategic partnership.
The Premier said they will approach the United Nations Technology Bank and the World Bank for funding of this initiative.
The PM also lamented the fact that Lesotho has not invested heavily in science and innovation, adding that this government attitude should change.
He further told the lawmakers that the government plans to mount a dedicated research fund.
Contacted for her reaction to these developments, Dr Seleteng Kose said: “It is a good move for the government to fund such important initiatives. However, it is difficult for me to comment on the government’s proposal since there are two Covid-19 medicinal plants projects running parallel. One project is conducted by Mr Motiki Beleme and myself, which has also been fully funded by the duo from inception till now. I do not have the details of the other Covid-19 project since I am not part of it. All I know is that it is funded by the Government of “Lesotho through a bilateral agreement with South Africa. Therefore, [the government may be referring] to the second Covid-19 project since I am not aware [of] the proposed funding.”