Lagos-based health tech precision medicine research company, 54gene, has launched its Clinical Research Programme Services (CPS) division. 

The new business division will provide end-to-end clinical development services, intelligence, logistics, and infrastructure to enable the conduct of clinical trials in Africa, starting out of Nigeria.

WHY IT MATTERS

54gene’s Clinical Programme Services division is focused on partnering with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and multilateral health organisations to develop new therapeutic and diagnostic products.

The launch comes at the same time as the appointment of 54gene as the Nigeria country partner for the International Registry of Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 (UNITY Global) Study.

In partnership with biosimulation company, Certara, 54gene will provide clinical trial management oversight and support for all aspects of the study conducted in Nigeria.

The registry will collect information on a weekly basis from enrollees across a 12-week period. Data collection includes medications being taken by healthcare workers, their level of exposure to COVID-19 patients, their health status, and other factors such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

THE LARGER CONTEXT

In other recent news in the continent, South African health tech startup Udok raised €518K in a seed round to build on its delivery of online doctor's consultations.

ON THE RECORD

54gene chief commercial officer, Jessica Rich said: “The inclusion of Africans in clinical programmes is critical to the production of medicines and health products that are more efficacious and safe for people of African descent. It is vital that we continue to collaborate with African researchers and institutions to generate data that meets the scientific rigor found in worldwide studies and to increase African inclusion in global studies. It is essential that more research takes place on the continent and we are ready to be part of that change.

“Alongside key partners like Certara and other important stakeholders across the continent, the UNITY Global Study is a great opportunity for some of the best clinical teams across Sub-Saharan Africa to come together and ensure outcomes of any COVID-19 studies are relevant to Africans. The insights generated from this programme could potentially unlock breakthrough clinical discoveries that can improve health outcomes for millions of people globally.”