Current Initiatives
Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA)
In 2023, the H3D Foundation, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and LifeArc, established the GC ADDA network of drug discovery researchers working in Africa on unmet medical needs faced by the African patient. By 2024, the network linked 8 African countries, with an initial 4 flagship projects focused on infectious disease and drug discovery research.
The aim of this initiative is to establish a sustainable network that accelerates drug discovery for unmet medical needs in Africa. We aim to develop and retain a critical mass of talented researchers in Africa while creating regional centers of excellence that nourish the drug discovery pipeline
The overall objective is to help build a future where African patients thrive from innovative drug discovery solutions tailored to their health needs.
- Discovery of novel antimalarial lead candidates in Africa – PI Richard Amewu, University of Ghana, Co-PI Lyn-Marie Birkholtz, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Pursuing Targeted Protein Degradation as a New Strategy for Antituberculosis Drug Development – PI Erick Strauss, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
- African DMPK Research Network – PI Collen Masimirembwa, African Institute for Biomedical Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
- African Derived Natural Product Library – PI Fidele Ntie-Kang, University of Buea, Cameroon
Strategic targets
- Leverage drug discovery capabilities across Africa through resource and knowledge sharing and collaborative projects
- Collectively create a pipeline of optimized leads and clinical candidates
- Support sustainable drug discovery and development on the African continent by diversifying funding streams, attracting government buy-in, developing research infrastructure and creating an extended ecosystem
- Build connections with those outside the continent, including those in the African diaspora, to accelerate the impact of the network
- Support and train the next generation of African drug discovery researchers
