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HIGHVELD BIOLOGICAL (PTY) LTD

Highveld Biological - Introduction

Highveld Biological was set-up in 1985 by Dr Elke Bey and Dr J.M. Whitcutt to provide high quality products for both, mammalian cells culture and plant tissue culture: nutrient media, buffer solutions, tailor made products, animal sera and specific services to the research laboratory.

Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP) are applied at all stages of manufacture in class 2 and 3 controlled facilities. Skilled staff with much experience in media preparation, production of animal sera and quality assurance attend to every detail of the procedures, from the simplest to the most complex. We only incorporate quality assured fine chemicals into our media with specifications that exceed the standard requirements of the AC (American Chemical Society) and ISO (International Organization of Standardization). Our serum collection and processing is carried out under the most stringent conditions, including a transparent paper trail in the abattoirs, which results in sound products, fit for any demanding laboratory.

The Company is situated in the grounds of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) in Johannesburg, South Africa and maintains regular contact with scientific institutions throughout the world.

Logo

THE WEAVER BIRD - he is a feathered friend indigenous to Southern Africa.

This colorful little bird was chosen as our logo because his success in finding a mate depends on being able to put together his product, a nest, that meets the specifications of his client, the fussy female weaver bird. She in turn knows that her task of raising a family depends on having a nest that will withstand the fierce summer storms and hangs safely, out of the reach of enemies.

In 1986 a Section 21 Trust company, named HBA (for Highveld Biological Association Not-For-Gain) was set up with the co-operation of the University of the Witwatersrand and the Cancer Association of South Africa. HBA is a non-profit research and development company that can attract public grants. This structure has proved to be absolutely essential for any developmental work outside of, but in collaboration with, the established academic institutions.

Amongst other projects, we have just completed the development of a highly accurate, cost effective test system for the assessment of the quality of chemically polluted water from any source in terms of risk to human health, using human cells as bio-sensors. This is a very important development and the first test-system of its kind in the world. With the Human Cell Test, it is possible to evaluate if water is fit for human consumption - this is of particular relevance to both, urban and rural communities in Africa that are dependent for survival on boreholes and other uncontrolled sources of surface waters.

In collaboration with the Central Veterinary Research Institute in Dubai, UAE and Design Biologix cc in Pretoria, South Africa, we developed a highly effective live attenuated vaccine against camel pox in cameloids. This is the only live attenuated vaccine available, the immunity after one injection is live-long.