Established to position Africa as a global player in innovative pharmaceutical R&D by strengthening infrastructure and the skills of scientists in Africa, the H3D Foundation and H3D Centre, University of Cape Town, have been the key strategic and technical partner for the Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery projects since inception. The GC ADDA network aims to boost investment and research infrastructure, fostering collaboration, training, and public engagement.

Led by Professor Erick Strauss at Stellenbosch University, this project explores using proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to degrade proteins and treat TB, offering a novel approach beyond inhibiting protein activity that could overcome challenges posed by current TB treatment approaches.

Dr. Richard Amewu from the University of Ghana and Prof. Lyn-Marié Birkholtz from the University of Pretoria are working to develop multistage-targeting drugs that also block malaria transmission, aiming for elimination and eradication.

Professor Collen Masimirembwa’s team at the African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology in Zimbabwe aims to establish a center focusing on Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics (DMPK) to enhance drug development research across Africa.

Dr. Fidele Ntie-Kang at the University of Buea, Cameroon, is compiling a collection of 400 natural products from Africa for screening against diseases like TB, neglected tropical diseases, viral infections, and malaria, leveraging traditional medicinal practices and natural products.