Rift Valley fever vaccine case dismissed with costs

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently welcomed a High Court ruling that dismissed a case regarding a viral strain of Rift Valley fever (RVF) purchased by Vetvax and Design Biologix with costs.

- Glenneis Kriel

According to a statement by OBP and the ARC, the ruling was a victory as the applicants tried to register a vaccine using the ARC viral strain without permission from the ARC and without the necessary permit, as required for 'controlled goods' under the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act (No. 87 of 1993).

However, Karen Nel, director and CEO of Design Biologix, told Farmer's Weekly that the OBP statement was misleading, as the application was dismissed on technical grounds only, namely that due to the presence of disputes of fact, the matter could not be adjudicated on affidavits, but that the leading of oral evidence would be required. She referred