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ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE VISITS IBL.......

As IBL intensifies efforts to conclude arrangements of setting up the first Multi purpose vaccine plant in West Africa, a much needed boost from the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came the company's way on Friday 2nd November, 2007. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aond-oakaa, who visited the Headquarters of IBL, pledged support of the Government in this determined effort of IBL to wipe out diseases from Nigeria and reduce cost of imported vaccines by the vaccine plant to be built.

IBL CEO, Dr. Agwale, presented the company's business plan to the Minister, who was visibly impressed and promised to immediately set the ball rolling in the actualization of this noble concept of the CEO.

Prior to this, a visit to the facility was also made by who were also very impressed by what they saw. they commended the efforts of the CEO in fighting disease and pledged their support to the company.

INNOVATIVE OPENS OFFICE IN FCT AND UNITED STATES

The CEO of Innovative Biotech Ltd in February announced the opening of  Innovative Biotech Ltd, Abuja annex. The opening of the office was inevitable as a large proportion of IBL's clients reside in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and required quick access to the company's facilities. The office is located at Sillazeka plaza, plot 444, Zone B5, Utako district and adjacent to Peace park. the office is already fully established and catering to all client needs such as vaccinations, consultancy, laboratory services as well as paternity testing.

The CEO also announced the opening of  a branch office in 3516 Langrehr Road, suite 2A, Windsor Mill, MD21244, USA and assured all that operations will commence there very soon.

Commenting on these new developments, the Head of Communications- Mr. Bowsan, applauded the vision of the CEO and encouraged all staff to put all hands on deck.

IBL ACCEPTS STUDENT FROM GERMANY ON INDUSTRIAL ATTACHMENT

IBL recently started providing research opportunities for students and scholars to build capacity using her state of the art facilities. Under this new scheme, students from various institutions visit IBL to make use of the resources available to build themselves. IBL has also been very supportive of students on industrial attachment and many students from various institutions of the Federation have greatly benefited from this also. John Pietzsch, a student from Berlin - Germany is one of such students. He recently completed a 4 week internship at IBL. He's a student of biochemistry in the Free University of Berlin and was attached to the Laboratory Department of IBL where he was under the supervision of Dr. J.C. Forbi.

John Pietzsch

US DEFENSE DEPARTMENT IN NIGERIA....visits IBL

6th March, 2007

The US defense department in a high level research visit to Nigeria, paid a visit to Innovative Biotech ltd. Members of the delegation to IBL included Dr. Oliver Hoffman and Miss Doshima. They spoke on their mission to Nigeria and said they were open to collaborations that will add to their research. The CEO of IBL, Dr, Agwale, remarked that IBL was open to any venture that is inclined towards the eradication of disease in Nigeria and asked that efforts at collaboration be looked into. IBL has all facilities to carry out researches and have just concluded a cross sectional HIV incidence studies in preparation for a phase III microbicide trial supported by IPM in Nigeria. IBL is currently hosting one of Nigeria's best Laboratory Facilities and have high level professionals manning these facilities.

            

Miss Doshima, Dr. Oliver            Dr. Oliver Chats with Dr.

                                                  Agwale(CEO)   

MANAGEMENT/CAPACITY TRAINING FOR IBL STAFF

Keeping in line with it's determination to bring up a formidible, strong and dynamic workforce, the management of IBL has been building up capacity of it's staff by means of intensive trianings that have been handled by the Human Resource Department.

The trainings, which were spear headed by Mr. Godwin Kumzhi and Bar. Nai'lah Yakubu, introduced new tools for staff evaluation, and raised standards of staff with respect to goal settings, achievements, customer service, team work amongst others.

The trainings ended with a commitment from both staff and management of IBL promising to give their best to the Organizational goals.

 

.......As Best Staff 2006 is Presented

5th March, 2007

Meanwhile, the best staff of the company for the year 2006 has been named. Announcing the winner of the closely contested award, Mr. Kumzhi, applauded the efforts of all staff and asked them to continue to perform to expectation and beyond. The best staff from each department were named by the CEO: Mr. Ayobami Oyeleye (Marketing), Mr. Kunle Ifawoye (Administration), Miss Charity Abatur (Clinical Services) and Miss Ronke Alabi (Laboratory Services).

The Best Staff Award 2006 went to Mr. Kunle Ifawoye, The IT Administrator of the company.

 IBL BAGS IN “BEST RESEARCH INSTTITUTE” AWARD

On 27 October 2006, IBL and its Chief Executive received recognition for their efforts in research. The awards were given by the History department of the Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Nasarawa State of Nigeria. The history-making event took place during the 2nd International Conference on “African Science and Knowledge Systems” which took place from 25th -27th of October 2006.

IBL played a major role during this conference. Dr Simon Agwale, the CEO of IBL, who was the guest lecturer, gave a lecture on the first day of the conference, titled “Biotechnology: The need for indigenous approach in disease eradication.” He focused on the need for Africans to take on the challenge of producing vaccines for diseases that are peculiar to its people, stressing that Africans have to be responsible for their people.

IBL also had a roundtable discussion on the second day of the conference called “Innovative Biotech Roundtable Discussion” with the theme “HIV/AIDS and the way forward” The Resource Persons were cutting edge Specialists, who gave presentations in various areas such as HIV/AIDS diagnosis/epidemiology, Impact of HIV/AIDS on work and the society, Socio-economic considerations on HIV/AIDS, Microbicides, HIV treatment and glyconutrients and HIV vaccines. Among those present at the discussion were Dr. Orikomaba Obunge, who was the Chairman of the roundtable discussion, and Dr Pat Matemilola.

The audience comprised of historians from different parts of the world as well as Secondary school students from the locality. The level of participation was great, as participants struggled to have a chance to ask questions, eagerly seeking further enlightenment and making various contributions. At the end of it all, one participant, a lecturer from a Nigerian University remarked, “…I have never been this enlightened about HIV/AIDS and I really need to go back and enlighten others.”

The last day of the conference was an Award Night. IBL was honored as “The best research institute in Nigeria”, while its director, Dr Agwale was also recognized for his “Scientific research on HIV/AIDS” Needless to say that these awards are well deserved. Of great interest is the fact that Historians have recognized the great impact and the potentials of IBL. In addition, they have decided to capture history in the making as this laudable vision unfolds.

 

H5N1 RAPID RESPONSE TEAM

Since the outbreak of confirmed cases of avail Influenza (H5N1) among poultry farms in Nigeria in February 2006, the Federal government of Nigeria and its partners has committed resources to contain the virus. The outbreaks cause devastating damage to poultry populations in some States in Nigeria.

Influenza A is a negative stranded RNA virus that is transmissible to man. Transmission to humans can be lethal. Innovative Biotech- Keffi (IBL) recognized the threat of H5N1 to man and with memories of the 1918 Spanish flu, have set up a rapid response team (RRT) to prevent and control possible cases of human pandemic to compliment government efforts.

As such, the laboratory has set-up a Real Time test for avian influenza (H5N1). The test can detect H5 and N1 genetic targets in 90 minutes and will be used in with BioMerieux’s NucliSens range of molecular biology systems.

Transmission of H5N1 could occur following a lab accident. As such, IBL’s clinical Virologist, Dr Forbi JC has been trained at the national veterinary research Institute Vom in collaboration with the CDC on the molecular diagnosis of avian Influenza and to keep the lab constantly alert on the fact that transmission could occur if there are breaches in lab biosafety. The lab has also signed a MOU with the Harrington Group- Australia and has validated rapid test kits for the detection of avian influenza. IBL has trained its staff on the proper use of personal protective equipments (PPEs) and guidelines for the suspicion of avian influenza.

Nigeria no longer needs to send samples abroad as our laboratory is equal to the task and would respond swiftly to the emerging disease known to have killed humans in Asia and Europe.

 
IPM visits IBL.....Impressed with findings

IBL continue to surge ahead with purpose and determination in the on going HIV incidence study in preparation for a Phase III Microbicide trial in Nigeria, being coordinated by her team of scientists and technologists. The project, which is being sponsored by the International Partnership for Microbicides, commenced early this year and has since then witnessed tremendous progress.

IPM's visiting team to IBL were visibly impressed with the progress and the quality of work so far recorded by IBL. The team, consisting of Ms. Mariam Sadat(USA) and Dr. Isaac Molonza (Kenya), recognized the efforts put in by Dr. Simon Agwale, CEO, and the project team. They went round to inspect facilities at IBL and were also taken to one of the project sites to see for themselves the recruitment process.

During the visit, which lasted from 30th July to 2nd August, 2006, the IPM visiting team were also hosted by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa state.

Meanwhile, Innovative Biotech Ltd continues to intensify efforts to champion the cause of eradicating disease in Africa through its innovative strategies. Vaccination exercises are going on in various parts of the country even as more companies and organizations become beneficiaries of IBL's packages.

As the construction process of IBL's vaccine and clinical trial facilities are ongoing, the state Government has promised incentives in support of the laudable efforts of the company. The executive Governor of Nasarawa state promised a tax holiday for IBL. He announced this during a birthday party organized in his honor by staff of IBL last week

other news headlines........

IBL in deliberations with FCTA

29 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA COUNCILS TRAINED

INNOVATIVE BIOTECH SIGNS MOU WITH HARRINGTON GROUP, AUSTRALIA

NAFDAC VISITS IBL