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The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and the H3D Foundation have announced the launch of a new three-year phase of their partnership. This initiative is designed to significantly enhance the skills and capacity required for advancing research and development (R&D) of new medicines across Africa.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Global Health Research
Africa bears 20% of the global disease burden, yet only 2% of medical research on new infections originates from the continent. To address this disparity, since 2021, IFPMA and the H3D Foundation have been working together to provide early and mid-career scientists in Africa with the opportunities and tools needed to advance their research skills. This collaboration aims to foster a robust ecosystem for drug discovery and development within Africa.
Richard Amewu, Principal Investigator of the Drug Innovation Group at the University of Ghana, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “The IFPMA partnership with H3D Foundation has lent credibility to the continent, unlocking further international investment in drug discovery research and development. The continuation of the partnership between IFPMA and H3D Foundation is essential to allow us to continue to gain momentum with building the African drug discovery ecosystem, and to address critical gaps in research capacity, capabilities, and infrastructure.”
Strategic Goals for the Next Three Years
Over the next three years, the partnership will focus on several key areas:
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Strengthening Health Systems:
Enhancing the overall health infrastructure to support advanced research and drug development.
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Expanding the Innovation Ecosystem:
Building a comprehensive value chain that facilitates innovation from initial research through to practical application.
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Removing Barriers for African Scientists:
Addressing challenges that hinder African scientists from achieving breakthroughs in drug discovery and related sciences.
At the Conference on Public Health in Africa held in Lusaka, Prof Kelly Chibale, Chairman and CEO of H3D-F and Founder and Director of H3D, highlighted the impact of the partnership: “Our partnership with IFPMA has enabled us to scale up initiatives our H3D Centre has built and been a feeder for more programs and an even bigger vision, including for the Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator. This partnership has also catalyzed interactions with representatives from the innovative pharmaceutical industry, at both local and international levels.”
Building a Sustainable Health Ecosystem
Greg Perry, Assistant Director General of IFPMA, expressed optimism about the continued collaboration: “Attracting, developing, and nurturing scientific talent and innovation at the local level will help ensure that the African continent will be part of the innovation ecosystem value chain and healthy innovation. We are confident that our continued partnership with H3D Foundation is a sustainable investment in Africa’s health ecosystem, and we look forward to what we will achieve together in the next three years.”
The renewed partnership between IFPMA and H3D Foundation is set to drive significant advancements in drug discovery and development within Africa. By focusing on enhancing skills, strengthening health systems, and expanding the innovation ecosystem, this collaboration aims to address critical gaps and build a sustainable future for medical research and development on the continent. As this initiative progresses, it promises to not only boost local scientific talent but also contribute to global health advancements by ensuring that African perspectives and innovations are integral to the worldwide fight against diseases.
Source: More than 90% of pharmacies say medicines shortages have got worse over the past year
Pharmaceutical Industry
Pharmaceutical Industry
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