GRADIENT attracts combined USD3.6m funding commitment - NaijaAgroNet: ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

NaijaAgroNet:

The Project Africa Genomic Research Approach for Diversity and Optimising Therapeutics (GRADIENT) has attracted a combined funding commitment worth USD3.6 million, reports NaijaAgroNet. Just as it calls on local researchers to submit proposals exploring the link between genetic diversity and response to malaria and tuberculosis drugs in African patients. NaijaAgroNet reports that the combined funding commitment of GBP 2.8 million (USD 3.6 million) is over five years, thus researchers based at universities, science councils and other public research organizations across Africa are invited to express ‘intent to submit’ by March 1, 2021. Also, NaijaAgroNet gathered that GSK and Novartis launched the collaboration to support high-quality scientific research investigating the link between genetic diversity across different regions in Africa and its potential impact on response to drug therapeutics. GRADIENT, with a combined funding commitment of GBP 2.8m (USD 3.6 million) over five years, has invited African researchers to submit robust research proposals on the relevance of African genetic diversity to the treatment of malaria and tuberculosis. Pauline Williams, Senior Vice President Global Health Pharma at GSK said: “At GSK, human genetics is a core pillar of our R&D strategy. Genetic diversity is greater in Africa than in any other continental population resulting in some African patients having varying response to treatments. We are excited to launch Project Africa GRADIENT which aims to catalyse the best science in the continent to optimize treatment responses for malaria and tuberculosis, two infectious diseases that disproportionately affect African populations.” Lutz Hegemann, M.D., Chief Operating Officer for Global Health at Novartis said: “Novartis has a long-standing commitment to improving and extending the lives of patients around the world. Our efforts include seeking innovative ways to improve the standard of care where possible. This is why we are excited by this important collaboration on scientific research on genetic diversity in Africa. It has the potential to improve the efficacy and tolerability of current and future medicines, starting with two of the most deadly diseases, malaria and tuberculosis. In alignment with our ongoing efforts to strengthen scientific capabilities in lower-resource settings, this project also provides opportunities for training young African scientists in the use of advanced research methodologies and mentoring on drug development.” Isaac Oyimah/Editor