German Lab, Health Ministry Partner for Rare Disease Care
Algeria's Ministry of Health and the German laboratory Boehringer Ingelheim have signed a new cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing the care provided to patients with rare diseases and stroke. This latest convention expands on a prior agreement focused on the local manufacturing of a treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The new accord signifies a broader dimension to the partnership between Algeria and the German group, extending from pharmaceutical production to comprehensive patient care.
The agreement outlines an approach grounded in scientific data to assess available resources and capabilities, identify priority needs, and implement tailored mechanisms for patient management. It also seeks to strengthen the skills of healthcare professionals and improve care pathways. This initiative reinforces the national framework dedicated to rare diseases, a sector that received instructions from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in 2022. The Ministry of Health further updated the list of rare diseases and related pharmaceutical products on November 6, 2024, including conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Fabry disease, Gaucher disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and phenylketonuria.
On the industrial front, the collaboration between Boehringer Ingelheim and Algeria began earlier, with Saïdal and the German laboratory signing a partnership convention on February 18, 2025. This initial phase focused on the local production of medications for rare diseases, with potential for expansion into other therapeutic categories. Additionally, in June, Saïdal and Boehringer Ingelheim signed an agreement for the local manufacturing of an innovative treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at Saïdal’s El-Harrach site, which includes a transfer of knowledge and expertise. The current convention therefore deepens and diversifies this significant international collaboration within Algeria's healthcare sector.
