UNLOCKING INNOVATION IN AFRICA

The 2025 CERI Summer Scientific Seminar Series text: Katrine Anker-Nilssen photos: Maambele Khosa

The Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) has launched its highly anticipated 2025 Summer Scientific Seminar Series, designed to elevate knowledge and foster collaboration among the African STARS fellows. This unique initiative, led by Dr Richard Gordon, is a vital extension of the fellows’ training, aligning closely with key teachings from the LaunchLab focused on entrepreneurship in the scientific field.

The series aims to empower innovators with a broader understanding of the business and operational landscape in Africa. “We want to ensure our fellows comprehend not just product development, but also the essential components of building successful ventures,” emphasised Dr Richard Gordon. With a total of eight seminars planned, the final session is yet to be confirmed.

The inaugural seminar, titled Drug Discovery & Designing, kicked off on Thursday, September 25, and focused on the crucial role that governments play in fostering a science-based economy. It highlighted strategies to enhance Africa’s capabilities in drug discovery through collaborative efforts across the continent. The seminar attracted 170 participants both in person and online, underscoring the widespread interest in the subject. Featuring distinguished speakers – Glaudina Loots, Director of Health Innovation at the Department of Science and Innovation (DSTI), as well as John Woodland and Dr Susan Winks from H3D, a leading African Drug Discovery and Development programme – the seminar captured the audience with insights on the intersection of policy, science, and collaboration. “Government has such an important role in creating a fertile environment for science startups,” remarked Dr Richard Gordon. “Without governmental support, very few of them can get off the ground, as international philanthropy typically does not fund emerging startups.”

The remarkable journey of H3D, which began as a government initiative over 15 years ago and has since evolved into a robust research hub of 75 personnel working on developing treatments for malaria, serves as a source of inspiration. The narrative of H3D’s growth illustrates how expertise has been cultivated and mobilised over the years.

Prof Tulio de Oliveira, CERI’s director, praised H3D’s impactful work: “Their efforts in advancing drug development for neglected diseases in Africa truly motivated our African STARS fellows. They demonstrated that leadership can emerge from Africa itself.” He highlighted the significance of South Africa’s investment in the bio-economy and the transfer of scientific knowledge to produce vital biological solutions – including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

Online participant Dr Chernet Gebru, hailing from Ethiopia, raised a crucial concern regarding the resource-intensive nature of drug discovery –inquiring about how African institutions could collaborate to pool resources and expertise, making discoveries accessible and affordable for African populations. Dr Susan Winks responded by introducing the GC ADDA network, aimed at connecting researchers with varied expertise to collaborate on drug discovery projects. She also highlighted ongoing partnerships with organisations like The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) to strengthen ties with the industry, particularly in addressing the capital-intensive challenges of drug development in Africa.

The second seminar, held on Thursday, October 2, delved into the challenges and opportunities surrounding Medical Devices and Diagnostics in Africa. This session also drew a significant audience, with approximately 150 participants in attendance.

Dr Lyndon Mungur, CEO and Founding Member of Medical Diagnostech, shared insights on the realities of manufacturing diagnostics within the continent. Concurrently, Naledi Plaatjies, Business Development Manager at Lasec, provided an overview of the company and discussed the complexities of market access and supply chains in Africa, referencing both successful and unsuccessful market entry case studies.

Focusing on the medical device and diagnostic industry, Dr Lyndon Mungur addressed the challenges encountered in setting up a manufacturing facility in South Africa. “He spoke about the obstacles they’ve faced, as well as the critical importance of regulation, facility accreditation, and sound business planning,” noted Dr Richard Gordon.

Lasec added another layer of understanding to the discussion by sharing their experiences as a well-established supplier in the industry, touching on the subject of logistics and regulatory compliance while servicing over 30 African countries. “This second seminar prompted extensive discussions on regulations, product ideation, and the logistics of shipping – truly an engaging session,” concluded Dr Richard Gordon.

The remaining seminars in this series continue to illuminate vital issues shaping Africa’s healthcare landscape and drive innovation across the continent.