In furtherance of its ambition to advance the development of innovative healthcare solutions and clinical research breakthroughs, organisers of Impact Africa Summit (IAS), have disclosed that the 2022 edition of IAS will foster dialogue on exchange, diversity and inclusivity in clinical research in Africa.
The summit billed to be the largest pharmaceutical research and development and clinical trials with the theme, ‘Clinical Trials Diversity with Inclusion of Africa – Achieving Clinical Research Equity, a key step towards healthcare innovation in Africa’ will be held between 1-3 December, 2022.
“Eliminating health inequity calls for a holistic and concerted approach across the clinical development ecosystem with urgent action of diverse stakeholders across the public and private sector,” Adebukunola Telufusi, the executive director (ED) Xcene Research said.
According to Telufusi, the theme for this year’s summit has become more prominent with the patient community’s perspective as a key consideration to achieving best interventions across Sub-Saharan Africa. “The Impact Africa Summit 2022 will assemble a broad range of international subject matter experts, regulators, government officials and key stakeholders across Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and USA,” said Telufusi, who was represented by Faramola Ogunkoya, Project Manager, Xcene Research.
She stated further that the summit will be led by thought leaders and individuals who will speak to the crucial role of clinical trials as a critical enabler of health promotion and most importantly inclusiveness of the African demography and its associated improvement for better interventions in healthcare.
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“There has never been a more critical time than now to work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure studies represent the intended patient population likely to use a medicine approved,” Telufusi said.
Nneka Onyejepu, Lead, Clinical Trials Management Unit, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), said Africa has home grown capacity for clinical research, and that the continent is currently being celebrated in terms of clinical trials based on its diversity.
According to her, Africa is now in the spotlight in terms of clinical trials. “We have what it takes to drive clinical trials,” said Onyejepu. However, she disclosed that there is a need for further collaboration among researchers on the continent to deepen findings and post-trial engagement of the communities.
The summit partnered by Global Blood Therapeutics and Chinook Therapeutics will have 3 scientific symposiums, 4 workshops, 20+ speakers, forums and a conference to foster necessary dialogue in eliminating health inequity in Africa.
Xcene Research, organizers of the IASPharma2021 is a leading Contract Research Organisation (CRO) providing full-service and support to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies, as well as academic research institutions across Sub- Saharan Africa.
