Dr Susan Winks, PhD, MBA
Head of Research Operations and Business Development,
University of Cape Town Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre
Prof Kelly Chibale
Neville Isdell Chair in African-centric Drug Discovery and Development, Founder and Director,
University of Cape Town Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre
We must develop drug discovery research capacity near patients in Africa to understand and meet their health needs. Africa’s emerging drug discovery community is poised to tackle these challenges.
Africa, home to 1.3 billion people, faces a triple health threat from infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and socioeconomic challenges that exacerbate access to healthcare.
Need for innovation ecosystem in drug discovery in Africa
The Holistic Drug Discovery and Development Centre (H3D) is a case in point. It has achieved remarkable milestones as Africa’s first integrated drug discovery centre. Founded in 2010 and accredited by the University of Cape Town (UCT), H3D has established a world-class integrated drug discovery infrastructure and delivered Africa’s first clinical candidate for malaria, showcasing the potential of Africa-led research.
Beyond its pioneering work in malaria, the Centre has developed a diverse drug discovery portfolio covering multiple disease areas. Starting in 2018, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), in partnership with the Grand Challenges Africa programme, funded 16 drug discovery pilot projects across seven African countries with active support from H3D. This laid the foundation for a new community of practice.
In 2023, with a further investment of $7.2 million from BMGF and LifeArc, this emerging community established four pan-African drug discovery flagship projects and formally initiated the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) network.
The Centre has developed a diverse drug discovery
portfolio covering multiple disease areas.
Building sustainable solutions
At its core, GC ADDA exemplifies the power of collaboration. By bringing together researchers with complementary capabilities, expertise and a common vision, GC ADDA focuses on diseases prevalent in Africa. It aims to leverage existing expertise and facilities to establish a pipeline of drug discovery projects, delivering optimised leads and high-quality drug candidates.
For sustainable and impactful change, GC ADDA will work to establish regional centres of excellence to support and train the next generation of African drug discovery researchers. A key element of the strategy is building connections with the global research community, including the African diaspora, to accelerate impact.
It is a strategic imperative to encourage African academics to champion such initiatives tackling the pressing health issues that confront the continent. Together, we can unleash the full potential of drug discovery in Africa for a brighter future.
