Axiology Labs

2 | Africa Outlook issue 97

AXIOLOGY LABS HEALTHCARE

Axiology Labs provides top quality laboratory products and nourishes premium life science solutions across Africa.

We explore a range of substantial projects and COVID-19 response strategies with CEO, Gideon Burger Writer: Ed Budds Project Manager: Callam Waller

Gideon Burger, CEO

FROM MOLECULES TO M A N K I N D

I have always felt determined to make life sciences and diagnostics available to as many people as possible and felt that this is best achieved by providing easy-to-use solutions and equipment.”

With this admirable pledge as the driving force behind the business, Axiology Labs was founded in 2015, taking its name from the Greek words “axia”, meaning ‘value’ and ”logia”, meaning ‘the study of’.

“We aim to pay homage to this name and our founding principles by providing quality laboratory, education, research and diagnostic solutions at affordable prices,” opens the CEO of Axiology Labs, Gideon Burger.

Africa Outlook issue 97 | 3

AFMS a proudly South African company, was established in 1986 and specialises in the filtration of Clean Rooms, Bio Safety Cabinets, Laminar Flow Benches, Fume Hoods, Cyto Toxic Cabinets, as well as containment laboratories from BSL 1 up to BSL 4. Included are modular facilities up to Bsl 3ag.

AFMS takes care of the physical requirements of environmental monitoring per ISO14644, GMP, USP 800, ISO14698. BMBL, NIH AND WHO standards / guidelines. Validations are performed per SANS 12469: 2020 British Standards, NSF49, or any specific requirements requested by our clients. On containment facilities we offer as per client needs, BMBL, NIH, Z9-14 or WHO containment guidelines.

Our MCLs™ (Modular Containment Labs) (MCL’ss, MMLs ™) are specifically designed to address the challenges associated with health care and research in resource-poor countries with weak infrastructure and poor building standards. These modular laboratories are quickly and easily implemented, and provide costeffective solutions for governments, development agencies, medical and research service providers, and aid organisations working in these environments. We even do modifications to existing structures.

We have an outstanding track record spanning 13 years that includes the successful deployment of high-quality MCLs™ in Gaborone (Botswana), Lusaka (Zambia), Port-au-Prince (Haiti) Accra, Takoradi, Tamale (Ghana), and Kigali (Rwanda), Lima Peru, Sylhet Bangladesh, Biobanks in LAGOS Nigeria, Biobanks in Freetown Sierra Leone and South-Africa.

pa@afms.bz | +27 11 462 0120 | www.afms.bz We specialise in Modular builds, Brick and Mortar builds and Mobile Builds. Here are examples of each: MODULAR BUILD IN GHANA Client: Herona Company ltd. For the Ghanian Ministry of Health Purpose: To supply, ship, and install 2 x 40ft containerized Modular BSL3 Hybrid facilities to Ghana (MCL’s)– to 4 locations. The laboratories are in Cape Coast, Sunyani, ACCRA, and Hohoe.

The design allowed for a second 40ft container, per site, to be installed back-to-back to the BSL3 container, to house the Amplification room, PCR, and the mechanical equipment room.

The facility consists of two off 40ft High cube shipping containers, Grade A single trip containers. Includes full container preparation, insulated walls & ceilings - 50mm polyurethane sandwich paneling, and 2 viewing windows that allow for natural light in the BSL3. Corian workbenches have been allowed as indicated on the proposed floor plan. Urethane floor preparation and sealing of all wall panels to an airtight fix, coved with linoleum seam welded flooring. External entrance doors to sample reception (Pre-Entry room) Amplification & detection, PCR, and mechanical plant room and internal doors. The Modular units are fully pressure tested to ensure no leakage from one room to another. The Ante Room, BSL3 and Shower room with door closures on all doors, each door has a viewing window and lock. Full electrical supply distribution board with LED tube lights in each area, 26 plug points in the lab as well as 6 in sample reception, PCR, and

amplification rooms. 4 hand wash basins fitted with “Elbow” operated taps. 1 Eye wash station at each sink. Includes fan filter unit installed in the mechanical room for fresh air with a precooled condenser as well as a heater (for RH depletion) all new seam jointed duct work, and grills to deliver fresh air to the six rooms for fresh air. Final filter efficiency 95%. Airconditioning units have not been allowed. A fully integrated fire system is included with sensors and call points with a dedicated panel. Access control at the entrance door is included. A fresh air system is included for clean fresh air - filter efficiency 95%. all supply air ducting will be externally insulated.

Lab Equipment we provided to each facility included:- SterilGARD e3 Class II, Type A2 SG404, complete with Stand and UV. Biological Safety cabinet class III, type MSCIII-1200 with one hatch and exhaust connection. Undercounter EDS (Effluent decontamination system) - consists of 2 collections tanks, with manual change over. Manual Chlorine Dosing and waste discharge.

BRICKS AND MORTER BUILD IN SWAZILAND Client: National emergency Response Council on HIV / AIDS(NERCHA) Purpose: To upgrade the facility to include a BSl2 and BSl3 facility.

The entire open-plan space was modified, and upgrades were done to provide a 1x BSl2 area and 1x BSL3 area, which are completely independent of one another. Each lab has new wall panels and ceilings installed, new doors and windows, new flooring, and a new ventilation and controls system installed for each system.

2 air handling units manufactured from powder-coated sandwich panels were installed and the units were supplied with primary and secondary filters to 95 % efficiency to reduce maintenance on the filters. The fresh air filters are double-sized into 2 primary filters and 2 secondary filters, the secondary filter efficiency is F9 – EN1822.

The Bag-in / Bag-out Containment Filtration system is Camfil Farr CamContain fully integrated packaged units, that have been fabricated, assembled and pressure decay tested in the same factory The control system’s function is to maintain a constant airflow to the lab. The airflow in the system is controlled via duct pressure sensors and variable speed drives on the fans. The controller constantly monitors the room pressure and temperature to maintain a constant lab pressure and temperature. Differential pressure sensors are mounted across all filters to give an indication of their loading and are monitored by the BMS system. The control system oversees the chilled water system and monitors the water level, temperature, and pressure.

The controller to be fitted is a Siemens type PXM30 controller, which has a 15” touch screen colour user graphic interface to monitor all set point parameters and directional airflow. Included in the control panel is a UPS unit to provide backup power only to the controller. A remote monitoring system is provided which allows remote login with a username and password. This allows monitoring of the system if any troubleshooting is required.

Safety A fire alarm is provided to sense smoke and notify the users. The alarm system automatically shuts down the ventilation system and activates a smoke extraction sequence. A room pressure monitoring alarm is provided to notify users when directional airflow is lost for a pre-set period, this will then shut down the system in case of any unsafe conditions. Anteroom doors are fitted with a traffic light type interlock to indicate if the doors are safe to be opened. The mechanical ventilation system is designed with safety features that guarantee that the lab can never be positively pressurised. An eye wash station is installed near the wash hand basins in the lab in case of emergencies.

An external emergency shower is installed near the emergency exit.

2x class II BSC’s, 1 x Class III and 1 x Autoclave.

The laboratory was fully commissioned after the installation.

• HEPA filters leak tested • Duct pressure test – supply and exhaust • Air volume calculations • Air change rates measured • Cabinet’s certification • Autoclave verified for performance • Directional air flow confirmation • Certification of the controller functionality.

• Temperature and Humidity recording over 24 hours • Failure mode analysis testing (FMEA)

MOBILE MODULAR BUILD IN PAKISTAN Client: Government of Pakistan, the Global Health Supply Chain Program (USAID funded) Purpose: Delivery of four (4) mobile laboratories (biosafety level II ) in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Each lab was secured onto a 50ft flatbed trailer.

The premise of the project was to supply the government of Pakistan with four mobile BSL2 enhanced laboratories, funded by USAID. This entailed these mobile facilities to be built into 40-foot high cube containers consisting of a sample reception/anteroom, a BSL2 lab, and a plant room. The plant room housed the Air Handling Unit, Direct Expansion condenser, dedicated exhaust air fans, and additional services like supply water tanks and grey water tanks. To ensure mobility, these facilities also required specialised skids for electrical supply, which enabled the facilities to be both powered by grid power or a backup generator, either of which fed the facility via an Automatic Voltage Regulator.

These skids also housed a UPS to supply essential power to critical equipment if required.

AXIOLOGY LABS HEALTHCARE

Life science is an ever-changing environment with new challenges to adapt to and overcome around every corner.

“As we all saw with the COVID19 pandemic, the landscape can change extremely quickly and it’s all about the ability to adapt fast and efficiently to market needs in order to bounce back,” offers Burger.

Axiology Labs exists as part of the wider Axio Group. The group specialises in life sciences, from molecules to mankind, and is composed of customer-centric businesses that can act quickly to meet customer needs, whilst simultaneously diversifying revenue streams and assets.

Axiology Labs is currently focused on developing COVID-19 solutions, but acknowledges that the world of research, teaching and diagnostics is advancing rapidly.

Other companies within the Axio 6 | Africa Outlook issue 97

Group include Labspace Africa, an advanced analytical laboratory located in Midrand, Johannesburg, and AxioSport, which was established to cater for high-performance sports science through state-of-the-art biomechanical video analysis. Then there is AxioVR, a virtual reality (VR) company that seeks to bring value to the classroom through programme-specific learning content and custom-built workforce training solutions for leading industry role players, and finally AxioSeed Medical, which originates from its roots in occupational health.

and diagnostic laboratories. Axiology Labs is also now ushering in cuttingedge VR technology and highperformance sport assessments to this rapidly growing industry.

“We aim to position ourselves as a strategic partner with various stakeholders in the industry and, in turn, are able to offer turnkey solutions - from consulting, laboratory construction, equipment placement, right through to scientific solutions, including analytical testing and validations within ISO standards,” Burger explains.

MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS

Across the continent, Axiology Labs has played its part in the ongoing recovery strategy and COVID-19 vaccination roll out, working closely with many other companies and facilities to help bounce back and rebuild from the immense difficulties faced over the last two years.

Axiology Labs is more than just a business. The company offers scientific solutions, including analytical testing and validations within ISO standards, as well as laboratory equipment, consumables and reagents to government, private

COVID-19 RESPONSE

Established in 1986, AFMS specialises in the filtration of clean rooms, bio-safety cabinets, laminar flow benches, fume hoods and cytotoxic cabinets. They also excel in the process of designing, building, commissioning and providing certification of containment and specialised laboratories for a multitude of select agents (TB, Anthrax, Ebola etc) from BSL 1 up to BSL 4.

AFMS has established itself as a worldwide leader in this field and has successfully delivered over 200 such facilities to a broad range of clients across the whole of Africa and further afield to nations such as Pakistan.

AFMS further designs and builds several mobile and modular facilities such as clinics, x-ray units, operating theatres and vaccination units.

Understanding the importance it plays, AFMS takes care of the physical requirements of environmental monitoring in accordance with ISO14644 and FedSTD 209E and ISO14698. Validations are performed in accordance with SANS12469:2002 &, NSF 49 or any specific requirement requested by our clients. To further improve our quality of work to our clients AFMS has applied to ISO / SANAS for an ISO 17025 accreditation.

AFMS further offers a wide variety of services such as: • Certification of biological safety cabinets validation • Certification of laminar flow benches • Validation of positive pressure units • Validation of fume hoods • Validation of isolators (PVC) • Validation of enzyme booths • Certification of BSL 1- 4 environments • Certification of bag in bag out housings • Validation of controlled environments (physical) • Theatre particle count and hospital validation (design, installation, and validation)

• Clean room validation and accreditation • Decontamination of clean rooms, bio-safety laboratories, safety cabinets, class III cabinets, bag in bag out filter housings • Room and product pressure testing, air change rate and air flow visualizations.

AFMS also offers a wide variety of products and lab equipment such as: • Laminar flow benches • Positive pressure units • Biological safety cabinets class II (type A1, A2, B1 & B2 total exhaust units) • Class I and class III cabinets and isolators • Oncology centres • Growing trolleys for plant tissue culture • Fume hoods • Laboratory consumables • General lab equipment such as incubators, ovens, water baths, circulators, drying ovens and more.

• Mechanical and filtration equipment • HEPA filter, primary filters, bag filters • Bag-in bag-out systems.

On an annual basis AFMS validates up to 1700 safety cabinets within South Africa as well as across the continent. Over many years AFMS has consistently provided its clients with mechanical installations, either installing new facilities or through the renovation of existing spaces, whilst also providing consultancy to a variety of NGOs across Africa.

Through working closely with a variety of architects and engineers, including mechanical, civil, electrical and plumbing contractors, the overall partnership with a full variety of trades has proven beneficial in the pooling of resources for the vast array of completed projects.

pa@afms.bz | +27 11 462 0120 | www.AFMS.bz

Increase efficiency in your laboratory.

ZEISS Laboratory Microscopes Enjoy the convenience of ZEISS laboratory microscopes for your daily checks, every day. Choose a microscope, that is easy to use, has a long lifetime, and provides outstanding image quality. Revolutionize your digital documentation with smart microscopy, and simply speed up your daily routines. info.za@zeiss.com | www.zeiss.co.za

AXIOLOGY LABS HEALTHCARE

“ O U R COV I D -1 9 R E S P O N S E D I V I S I O N H AS E X T E N S I V E C A PA B I L I T I E S AC R O S S T H E SPECTRUM REQUIRED FOR AN EFFECTIVE R E S P O N S E S T R AT E G Y ” – GIDEON BURGER, CEO, AXIOLOGY LABS

As part of many COVID-19 response initiatives implemented by the company, Axiology Labs remains a provider of cold chain solutions for PCR diagnostic laboratories.

Axiology Labs has supported the roll out of multiple COVID-19 PCR diagnostic laboratories and continues to maintain and service these laboratories on a daily basis.

“We deployed numerous laboratories in rural mining areas during the level five lockdown and ensured that there was a sufficient supply of cold chain items. This

10 | Africa Outlook issue 97

included biomedical freezers, vaccine fridges and ultra-low-temperature units with active temperature monitoring for vaccine storage and distribution,” Burger explains to us.

At Diagnofirm Medical Laboratories in Botswana, during the apex of the pandemic, Axiology Labs helped to successfully implement the COVID19 testing solution. As Botswana’s largest private diagnostic group with three cold chain laboratory tests, this was implemented using Axiology Labs as the sole supplier of all tests.

“Elsewhere, we are proud to supply The Biovac Institute, South Africa’s sole distributor of vaccines, with our ultra-low freezer. Our temperature monitoring solutions crucially ensure that the vaccine products remain

stable throughout the distribution process,” details Burger.

Axiology Labs is a provider of COVID-19 PCR laboratories in Zambia and is charged with the regular maintenance and servicing of all equipment. First Quantum Minerals is currently finalising its vaccine rollout programme, in which Axiology Labs is a consulting partner and service provider. Axiology Labs continues to support Vodacom in the distribution of 257 new cold chain units across Western Cape, South Africa, enabling the Western Cape Department of Health to boost COVID-19 vaccine storage and distribution.

“Our COVID-19 response division has extensive capabilities across the spectrum required for an effective reactive strategy,” describes Burger proudly.

AXIOLOGY LABS HEALTHCARE

“ O U R S TA F F A R E T H E T R U E B A C K B O N E O F THE BUSINESS AND EMPOWERING THEM I N A WAY T O F E E L F R E E A N D E X P L O R E OPPORTUNITIES IS KEY” – GIDEON BURGER, CEO, AXIOLOGY LABS

RURAL OUTREACH In terms of future projects, the company is turning its attention towards rural vaccine rollout solutions.

Axiology Labs is helping to distribute 12 | Africa Outlook issue 97

the COVID-19 vaccine programme through various products and services provided for vaccine diagnostics laboratories. The company is assisting with the safe transportation, storage

and administration of the vaccines.

This is alongside the ferrying of the product to rural areas, to the storage at clinics and hospitals, right through to the mobile vaccination trailers, which are for accessing and distributing vaccinations in these remote rural areas across Africa.

As Burger explains, this is not the only exciting new development on the horizon for Axiology Labs.

“We are extremely proud to be introducing our own Axiopette (pipettes), Axiotips (filter tips), Axiofilters (syringe filters), Axiomedia (culture media) and Axiovials (lab vials) to the market and are extremely optimistic about the initial responses we have been receiving so far in relation to their pricing and quality,” describes Burger.

As authorised distributors of Adam Equipment, Zeiss Microscopy and with the fruitful ongoing partnership with GA International and Zhonke Meiling Cryogenics, Axiology Labs

AXIOLOGY LABS HEALTHCARE

Axiology Labs supplies top-of-theline equipment and consumables to laboratories all over the world. The specific areas of expertise include: •

Healthcare and diagnostics

•

Life science and medical education

•

Molecular science

•

Animal science

•

Physiological sciences

•

Pharmaceutical industry

•

Modular turnkey laboratories

•

Analytical equipment

•

Zebra fish research

searches carefully to discover and collaborate with the best possible business partners within the industry.

“We believe in partnerships with SAHPRA-approved companies such as CapeBio for various products including SARS-Cov-2 Multiplex RT-qPCR Assays made in South Africa at a fraction of the price. We also aim to partner with other innovative companies such as Byonoy, Seward Limited, Cleaver Scientific, Optitrack and STT Systems,” adds Burger.

The most important partnership for Axiology Labs remains its staff, who the company depends on every day to maintain such high operational standards.

“Our staff are the true backbone of the business and empowering them in a way to feel free and explore opportunities is key. We have invested vast resources in ensuring we have the very best people in key positions, who are keen to develop successful teams and implement strategies based on

our company ideals,” acclaims Burger.

Looking forward, and with the rapid growth and expansion of the group, Axiology Labs’ primary concern is to sustain the long-term viability of the various established subsidiaries and to gain further market share by capitalising on the numerous opportunities which will no doubt present themselves. Still immersed in the treacherous, vice-like grip of the COVID-19 fallout, Africa is nevertheless slowly making strides towards eventual recovery, aided by the stoic work of Axiology Labs in providing crucial medical solutions and distributing vaccinations.

AXIOLOGY LABS Tel: 016 100 6090 sales@axiologylabs.com Africa Outlook issue 97 | 13

AXIOLOGY LABS 998, 16th St, Midrand 20 Athlone Dr, Three Rivers, Vereeniging Unit 15, Bellray Business Park, 5 Ampere St, Stikland Industrial, Bellville, Cape Town Tel: 016 100 6090 sales@axiologylabs.com www.axiologylabs.com

PRODUCED BY AFRICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE