In a recent guest column, Professor Collen Masimirembwa, the Founding President and CEO of the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST), sheds light on the critical need to catalyze precision medicine in Africa. Despite being the continent with the highest genetic diversity, Africa is significantly underrepresented in genomic research, contributing only 2% of global genomic data as of 2021.
The consequences of this underrepresentation are profound, impacting disease risk prediction and drug development, which traditionally relies heavily on data from European populations. As a result, treatments developed using such data may not be as effective for diverse African populations, leading to poor health outcomes and exacerbating existing health inequities. Clinical trials in Africa are also limited, with only 3.5% taking place on the continent, causing variations in treatment responses, especially in diseases like cancer and HIV.
Initiatives for Genomic Research
Recognizing the urgency of addressing this disparity, Prof. Masimirembwa emphasizes the significance of investing in building an ecosystem for developing precision medicine tailored to Africa. The African Pharmacogenomics Consortium (APC) and the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) have been pivotal in spearheading initiatives like the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) program, which has significantly increased genomic data on African populations.
One notable achievement is the creation of a biobank by APC member countries, housing over 20,000 samples from diverse ethnic groups. Studies from this biobank highlight the 25% greater genetic diversity in the African population compared to other groups worldwide, emphasizing the need for region-specific approaches in drug development. Prof. Masimirembwa’s team at AiBST has conducted studies on various diseases, including breast and colorectal cancers, HIV, TB, and sickle cell disease, revealing population-specific genetic variations affecting drug responses.
GenoPharm and Precision Medicine Program
In response to these findings, AiBST has collaborated with a biotech company to develop GenoPharm, a genetic test with approximately 120 markers predicting responses to over 100 drugs. This innovative approach aims to guide treatment decisions based on individual genetic profiles, ensuring safer and more effective outcomes. The success of pilot studies involving 500 patients has paved the way for the Implementation of Pharmacogenetic Testing for Effective Care and Treatment in Africa (iPROTECTA) program. With funding from the Calestous Juma Science Fellowship, iPROTECTA aims to enroll 6,000 patients across Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa to test the effectiveness of precision medicine in treating tuberculosis, gastrointestinal tumors, and sickle cell disease.
Capacity Building and Collaboration
Beyond precision medicine, AiBST is committed to addressing broader health challenges in Africa by building an ecosystem for product development. Collaboration with Stanford University led to the creation of SPARK Africa, a network of translational scientists with a vision to commercialize life science products created by Africans. SPARK Africa provides a platform for governments, funders, and pharmaceutical companies to contribute to advancing product development on the continent.
In conclusion, Prof. Masimirembwa’s work exemplifies a holistic approach to advancing healthcare in Africa, encompassing precision medicine, capacity-building, and collaborative innovation. By recognizing and leveraging the continent’s unique genetic diversity, Africa can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of genomic medicine and addressing its healthcare needs.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
