“No Reason to Delay”: Pharma Urged to Invest in African Clinical Trials

The article draws attention to Africa’s underrepresentation in global clinical trials and references the Foundation’s latest review, which warns that this gap risks overlooking the continent’s genetic diversity and delaying recognition of local disease profiles, such as a new non-autoimmune diabetes subtype recently identified in sub-Saharan Africa. 

It explains that structural barriers have contributed to the shortfall, including a lack of trial sites, trained professionals, regulatory capacity and supporting infrastructure. Yet the article also highlights progress identified in the report, which builds on findings from the 2024 Access to Medicine Index. Emma Cahuzac, the Foundation’s Continuous Intelligence Unit Manager, is quoted in the article highlighting regulatory advances, including the African Medicines Agency moving closer to becoming operational and harmonisation efforts that are easing regulatory burdens. 

In addition, the article cites Marijn Verhoef, the Foundation’s Director of Private Sector Engagement, who notes that the trial landscape is beginning to shift beyond HIV and neglected diseases toward noncommunicable conditions such as cancer, supported by growing oncology capacity across the continent. 

Still, the article underscores that much more remains to be done. It notes that companies such as Novartis, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Roche are already conducting trials in Africa but emphasises the strong business case for others to follow. Expanding research can accelerate patient recruitment, shorten development timelines and deliver first-mover advantages such as extended market exclusivity. With aid budgets shrinking, Emma is quoted as stressing that urgent action is needed now. 

Read the full review here: Harnessing Africa’s untapped clinical trial potential