Abazali Bio Ventures

Abazali Bio Ventures (Pty) Ltd was a South African biopharmaceutical distribution and sales agency primarily known for its partnership with Biopure Corporation to market Hemopure, an oxygen therapeutic (blood substitute), in South Africa and other African regions. Founded in the mid-2000s as a 100% black-owned South African company, it played a critical role in the commercialization efforts of Hemopure after the product received regulatory approval in South Africa. The company also served as a sales agent for AVI BioPharma (now Sarepta Therapeutics) for gene-targeted therapeutic approaches. Following the bankruptcy of its primary partner, Biopure, in 2009 and the subsequent challenges facing the oxygen therapeutic market, Abazali Bio Ventures became largely inactive.