Media Centre

BEEPZ - Overview

BEEPZ Project

 

2007

BEEPZ commissioned its principal processing facility in the export processing zone in Athi River, Kenya.

First sales of artemisinin from the principal processing facility shipped to Novartis for manufacture of ACTs. 

Start of development for a cleaner, more cost-effective process to produce dihydro-artemisinin and artesunate.    

Produced artemisinin for manufacturing of over 22 Million ACTs.

 

2006

ABE produced artemisinin for manufacture of 1.45 Million malaria treatments. 

Start of a second round of fundraising for US$15 million, for direct investment in East Africa. 

 

2005

ABE began production of crude artemisinin in Uganda. 

First sales of artemisinin to Novartis. 

US$14Million in bridging funds secured for raw material production and process capacity 

Botanical Extracts EPZ Limited was formed and commissioned the construction of a principal processing facility in Kenya.

East African Botanicals (U) was formed in Uganda for raw material production and production of crude artemisinin.    

An amended supply agreement with increased volumes was signed with Novartis.

 

2004

East African Botanicals Limited in Kenya was formed for raw material production. 

An initial supply agreement was signed with Novartis for supply of artemisinin and derivatives. 

 

2003

ABE confirmed the process for extraction, purification and derivitization of artemisinin on a commercial scale and under the supervision of an independent engineer.

 

2002

ABE made its first sales of artemisinin

250 tons of leaf processed to crude artemisinin

 

Previous 2001

The IATROSCAN (flame ionization technology) was developed to measure artemisinin content in the leaf.    

ABE developed precision agriculture technology for irrigated production of Artemisia annua. 

 

In 1997 the Company began the first in a series of agronomic trials to develop high-quality planting material with improved yields and artemisinin content.    

 

In 1996 African Artemisia Limited was formed in Tanzania for commercial scale production of Artemisia annua.