Dei Biopharma founder honoured with lifetime achievement award in Canada

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Ugandan scientist and founder of Dei Biopharma, Dr Matthias Magoola, has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 2025 Sankofa Royale Award Gala and Festival held last month.

The prestigious award, presented by the Canadian and African Women Aid Program (CAWAP) at Unifor Local, 23 Regan Road, recognised Magoola's significant contributions to science health and his community.

The nomination, which preceded the award, cited Magoola's "outstanding work and involvement in our diverse society."

A professional chemist, Magoola is the founder and managing director of Dei Group International, which is developing a flagship biological drugs and vaccine manufacturing facility in Matugga, Wakiso district.

His work in pharmaceutical research and innovation has garnered international attention, including more than 100 patents filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office for treatments and vaccines targeting diseases such as cancer, HIV and Alzheimer's.

The Rev. Irine Ashu, the founder and executive director of CAWAP, said Magoola’s achievements embodied the spirit of the award and would serve as an inspiration to others. CAWAP is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering Afro-Caribbean and Canadian women and their families.

The award gala, held under the theme: The Power of Us: Celebrating the Past. Inspiring the Future, sought to honour individuals who have made lasting impacts in their communities.

Over the years, Magoola has led the Dei Group to establish a portfolio of sub-companies across diverse sectors, including the current development of the biological drugs and vaccines manufacturing facility in Uganda.

Dr Magoola also developed a COVID-19 vaccine using mRNA technology in the US, which is currently being stored in a cell bank there.

One of his patents, which encodes Darbepoetin—a therapeutic protein used to treat acute kidney failure and cancer—using mRNA, has received feedback from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowing its development to continue.

His work has also been recognised with the International Molecular Biologist award. Magoola has also been confirmed as a full member of Sigma Xi, a prestigious society of top world scientists. Founded in 1886, Sigma Xi honours excellence in scientific investigation and encourages cooperation among researchers. Its members have included influential scientists such as Albert Einstein and Linus Pauling.

Additionally, Magoola was named by the Silicon Valley Review as one of the upcoming pharmaceutical CEOs to watch in 2025.