Precision Medicine Makes Safer Drugs for People of African Descent

Abuja-based healthcare startup 54gene has launched its Clinical Program Services (CPS) division, which will provide end-to-end clinical development services, intelligence, logistics, and infrastructure and ultimately enable successful conduct of clinical trials in Africa, starting out of Nigeria. The launch comes at the same time as the appointment of 54gene as the Nigerian country partner for the International Registry of Healthcare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 (UNITY Global) Study. In partnership with Certara, a global leader in biosimulation, the startup will provide clinical trial management oversight and support for all aspects of the study conducted in Nigeria. 54gene’s Clinical Program Services division is focused on partnering with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and multilateral health organizations to discover, develop, and commercialize new therapeutic and diagnostic products. On the launch of the Clinical Program Services division, 54gene Chief Commercial Officer, Jessica Rich said, “The inclusion of Africans in clinical programs 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.”

SOURCE: VENTURES AFRICA