KEMRI, GC ADDA and RAFIKI Convened a Landmark Joint Meeting to Advance Africa’s Drug Discovery Ecosystem

By Gladys Mathenge

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), in partnership with the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) and the EU-Africa Research Infrastructure Alliance to Foster Infectious Disease Research, Knowledge Sharing and Innovation (RAFIKI), successfully convened a four-day high-level joint meeting focused on strengthening the translational Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem for infectious diseases across Africa.

The meeting brought together scientists, policymakers, patient advocates, recovered patients, and key stakeholders to accelerate drug discovery and product development efforts on the continent, reinforce collaboration, and position Kenya as a regional hub for innovation.

The workshop was officially opened by Ag. Director, Research & Development, Dr. Erick Muok, on behalf of Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, and chaired by Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Elizabeth Kigondu. In his remarks, Dr. Erick Muok emphasized the importance of translating research into tangible health solutions, stating, “At KEMRI, we firmly believe that while it is imperative to generate high-quality research findings, it is equally fundamental to translate this evidence into products that serve the health needs of our people. Product development and innovation are paramount not only for revenue generation but, more importantly, to address health issues affecting Africans. It is clear that we must develop homegrown solutions to our health challenges.”

He further sincerely thanked Dr. Elizabeth Kigondu and her colleagues for their tireless efforts in consolidating and advancing the drug discovery and product development platform at KEMRI, affirming his full support in strengthening policies, infrastructure, human resource capacity, and partnerships to ensure that innovations developed at the Institute benefit both Kenya and the global community.

KEMRI’s Ag. Director, Scientific Programmes, Partnerships and Grants Management, Dr. Zipporah Bukania, present during the meeting, emphasized the critical role of strong partnerships, efficient grants management, and institutional capacity in driving real-world health impact. “Sustainable research in Africa cannot happen in isolation. It depends on coordinated collaboration, robust operational support, and institutions that can turn ideas into tangible health solutions. At KEMRI, we are committed to diversifying funding sources, strengthening accountability systems, and empowering our scientists to translate innovative ideas into funded, impactful programmes. Initiatives like GC ADDA and RAFIKI are not just important, they are essential, because together we can build a research ecosystem that delivers real benefits to patients and communities across Africa and beyond.” She stated.

GC ADDA, supported through seed funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established to build a sustainable pan-African network that accelerates drug discovery for unmet medical needs. The initiative focuses on nurturing and retaining African scientific talent while establishing regional centers of excellence capable of driving homegrown solutions to pressing health challenges. Complementing this vision, RAFIKI, a Horizon Europe initiative jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland, has strategically supported the GC ADDA network by leveraging existing partnerships between African and European institutions to accelerate sustainable growth within Sub-Saharan Africa’s drug discovery ecosystem.

Speaking during the meeting, GC ADDA, Dr. Susan Winks emphasized the network’s mission. “GC ADDA is committed to empowering African scientists to lead the discovery and development of drugs that meet the continent’s most urgent health needs. By building strong networks and regional centers of excellence, we aim to ensure that innovation is homegrown, sustainable, and impactful for patients across Africa.” She noted.

A key highlight of the meeting was the deliberate elevation of patient voices, particularly through the sharing of lived experiences of tuberculosis (TB) and discussions around current standards of care. By integrating lived experience into scientific and policy conversations, the meeting reinforced the importance of inclusive, patient entered research that responds directly to community needs. Engaging local dignitaries and stakeholders further strengthened Kenya’s positioning as a leading hub for translational drug discovery in East Africa.

By bridging science, policy, and lived experience, the joint meeting underscored the urgent need for stronger collaborative frameworks that accelerate innovation in infectious disease research. The partnership between KEMRI, GC ADDA, and RAFIKI demonstrated a shared commitment to building a resilient and interconnected ecosystem, one that advances discovery, supports African researchers, and translates innovation into tangible health outcomes across the continent.

Collectively, the institutions reaffirmed their dedication to shaping a sustainable, Africa-led drug discovery landscape grounded in collaboration, impact and excellence.