We are honored to invite you to an enlightening full-day track on pharmacogenomics at the upcoming PMWC 2025 Silicon Valley – February 5-7, 2025. This track will delve into the transformative potential of precision medicine, specifically in the context of Africa’s unique healthcare landscape. Our Pioneer Honoree, Dr. Collen Masimirembwa from the University of the Witwatersrand, and who will be sharing his invaluable insights at PMWC 2025, is a trailblazer in this field.
Africa, home to 17% of the global population, is thought to carry 25% of the world’s disease burden. This disparity underscores the urgent need for innovative treatment strategies that can address these specific health challenges. Precision medicine, and pharmacogenomics (PGx) in particular, offers a promising solution.
Masimirembwa is Founder and President of the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST). Headquartered in Harare, Zimbabwe, AiBST ‘s goals are to create a thriving R&D ecosystem of African-led drug discovery and product development. An integral part of this effort is the sustainable development of genomic and pharmaceutical medicine capabilities, which requires the establishment of global strategic partnerships to ensure that AiBST accesses world-class scientific and engineering talent and collaborators, develops novel tools and technologies and secures the financial resources to move this agenda forward.
Masimirembwa’s work has led to the development of GenoPharm, Africa’s first genetic test inclusive of unique African variants and now established as a spin-off company, CradleOmics, commercializing its research and innovation products. “Our research resulted in the first registered genetic test in Africa, GenoPharm, now rolled out to more than 6,000 patients across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Nigeria,” says Dr. Masimirembwa. Through initiatives like these, AiBST is advancing genomic research and training the next generation of scientists from numerous African countries.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) utilizes an individual’s genetic makeup to determine the most effective drugs and dosages tailored to their specific needs. This approach minimizes adverse drug reactions and enhances treatment efficacy. In Africa, pioneering initiatives are paving the way for breakthroughs that could revolutionize healthcare not only on the continent but worldwide. Dr. Masimirembwa’s research has uncovered significant genetic variants in the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genes among African populations, which are crucial for drug metabolism.
Conducting research in resource-limited settings presents numerous challenges, such as infrastructure limitations, a shortage of skilled personnel, and funding constraints. To address these, Dr. Masimirembwa established the African Pharmacogenomics Research Network, fostering collaboration among biomedical scientists across Africa. He also initiated the Consortium for Genomics and Therapeutics Africa (CGTA), launching the first multinational clinical pharmacogenetics program, iPROTECTA. This program aims to implement pharmacogenetics testing for effective care and treatment across Africa, inspired by successful programs in the USA and Europe.
To ensure sustainable healthcare innovation, Dr. Masimirembwa advocates for strong public-private partnerships. He has initiated SPARK Africa, a translational research program aimed at transforming academic research into market-ready products and services. By addressing barriers such as investment models, supply chain logistics, and regulatory frameworks, these efforts are fostering a robust R&D ecosystem in Africa. The establishment of Genomics Centres of Excellence and partnerships with pharmaceutical companies are further accelerating progress in precision medicine.
Thank you to the program committee members: Chair Kristine Ashcraft (Aranscia), Sara Rogers (American Society of Pharmacovigilance), Jai Patel (Atrium Health), and Kelly Claude (St. Jude) for their invaluable contributions to developing the PMWC 2025 PGx track with the program theme: Addressing Persistent PGx Myths.
See more of the developing PMWC 2025 – Feb. 5-7 Silicon Valley program below:
PMWC Award Ceremony:
Luminary Honoree: Philip E. Empey, UPMC
Pioneer Honoree: Collen Masimirembwa, University of the Witwatersrand
Genomic Diversity in Africa: Pharmacogenetics and Clinical Applications
Collen Masimirembwa, University of the Witwatersrand
PGx is Expensive and Insurance Coverage is Limited
Chair: Jai Patel, Atrium Health
Lena Chaihorskym, Alva10
Mark Fleury, ACS CAN
Kristin Wiisanen, Rosalind Franklin University
Alison L. Quinn, Kaiser
Science Backing PGx is Limited
Chair: Sara Rogers, American Society of Pharmacovigilance
Russ Altman, Stanford
Philip E. Empey, UPMC
Michael A. Pacanowski, FDA
PGx is Hard to Implement
Chair: Kristine Crews, St Jude
Deepak Voora, VA
Jennifer Wick, The Christ Hospital Health Network
Suzanne Stevens, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
Jason Roos, ARPA-H
What will it take to make PGx the standard of care
Chair: Kristine Ashcraft, Aranscia (YouScript)
Alan Venook, UCSF/ NCCN
Gary Marchant, ASU
Dan Hertz, University of Michigan
Deepak Voora, VA
Sincerely,
Tal Behar
President & Co-founder, PMWC
PMWC 2025 Silicon Valley – February 5-7, 2025
