Nigeria’s ehealth startup 54gene recently launched Clinical Programme Services for end-to-end clinical development services in the country. Additionally, it will provide intelligence, logistics and infrastructure to seamlessly carry out clinical trials on the continent., with Nigeria as its starting point.
The startup was launched in 2019, and is fully focused on research, services and development. It taps into human genetic data from diverse African populations to enhance the availability and efficacy of medical products that will benefit the continent. It will also have a wider impact on the global population.
54gene chief commercial officer Jessica Rich told the media “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 rigour 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.”
Already the startup has raised $15 million in Series A funding. It has launched its Clinical Programme Services division, largely focused on collaborating with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as multilateral institutions. It is reported that these collaborations will encourage the startup to discover, develop, test and commercialise advanced therapeutic and diagnostic products for the African population. This is anticipated to add value to the medical field in light of the coronavirus.