Chief Executive Officer at Afrigen Biologics
South Africa
Petro Terblanche has played a key part in the design and implementation of South Africa’s biotechnology strategy since 2002. She is Chief Executive Officer of Afrigen Biologics (Pty) Ltd, which is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and hosts the WHO Global mRNA technology development and transfer hub. Afrigen has developed an mRNA technology platform that is being transferred to 15 partners in low- and middle-income countries as part of a global programme to build capacity and capabilities in these countries to design, develop and produce mRNA vaccines for access and health security. Her qualifications include a Master of Science and a Doctor of Science in medical oncology from the University of Pretoria. Post-doctorate, she was a visiting scientist at Harvard University School of Public Health and then completed a Management of Technology programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Petro is the author of more than 200 scientific publications and conference papers on public health. She holds several board positions and serves on several scientific advisory boards in the academic and public health sectors. She was recently acknowledged as one of the Legends of South African Science by the Academy of Science of South Africa.