Despite 99% of human evolutionary history having taken place in Africa, less than 3% of global genomic datasets come from people of recent African origin.¹⁻² This dramatic data imbalance hinders scientific and medical advancements that could benefit people around the world.
A comprehensive and inclusive understanding of African genomic diversity has the potential to enhance scientific and medical progress for patients in Africa and beyond, helping to transform how we detect, treat and, ultimately, cure disease. However, tremendous gaps in genomic data prevent scientists from fully unlocking this potential.
Fortunately, growing momentum across the continent – powered by African scientists and organisations as well as recent advances in technology – means that the world is getting closer to tackling these data gaps. Here at Roche, we are proud to be part of this momentous push forward through the African Genomics Program (AGP).
The AGP was launched to address inequitable representation of African genomes. This ambitious collaboration of African researchers, governments, non-profit organisations, multilateral bodies, and the private sector seeks to accelerate genomic research in Africa, improve healthcare, and accelerate scientific research for the benefit of every patient.
Genomic research provides insights into how genetic variation affects human health and disease and how human bodies may react to new medications and treatments.
Genomic research can help scientists and clinicians to:
Improve the efficacy and safety of new treatments.
Design more effective clinical trials.
Understand how medications can have varying impacts on people from different backgrounds.
Develop improved preventive strategies by understanding who might be predisposed to certain conditions.
Identify more effective targets for drug development: studies show that drug targets are twice as successful in clinical development when supported by human genetics.3
Through the African Genomics Program, Roche is collaborating with African scientists, partners and organisations to minimise these data gaps and accelerate genomic research in Africa with the aim of reducing global health inequities.
The African Genomics Program is Roche’s bold commitment to accelerating African genomic research in partnership with scientists and organisations across the continent. Roche is dedicated to learning from and working with stakeholders to overcome barriers and unlock solutions to strengthen genomic science in Africa.
The long-term vision of the initiative includes the development of an open, equitable federation of large-scale clinical, genomic and outcome biobanks hosted in Africa that are African-led. The African Genomics Program is catalysing progress toward this ambitious goal by bringing together a diverse set of partners dedicated to changing how African genomic data is collected and shared. Roche is proud to be collaborating in these efforts to enable scientific discovery and improve health for all patients.
Through the African Genomics Program, we commit to:
Expanding data access in Africa by supporting African institutions to host genomic data, and ensuring it is open and accessible to African and other researchers and institutions.
Accelerating research by working with partners in the sequencing of >50,000 genomes from diverse African samples, leading and participating in genomics consortiums, and ensuring data is made available to researchers in Africa.
Building capacity by growing talent, research infrastructure and scientific networks on the continent.
Partnering to expand impact by bringing together African researchers, healthcare providers, non-profit organisations and NGOs, governments, industry, academia, multilateral bodies, and others to work more efficiently and effectively.
Building clinical data sets and providing population level data sets to inform health policy, facilitate science, and research.
Further investing in R&D to deliver on the promise of better, accessible and personalised health care for all patients based on a deeper understanding of the African genome.
We know a challenge of this magnitude demands a collaborative approach. African institutions are leading the initiative with support from a broad network of partners in Africa and beyond, including both the public and private sector, non-profit organisations and academia. The diversity of the partners involved is a key strength of the initiative and will provide the expertise necessary to make a sustainable and lasting difference to patients.
Our current partners include:
With concerted, collaborative efforts backed by stakeholders across industry, academia and government, Africa can take its rightful place as a leader in genomic science. By doing this, genomic data from Africa will help to inform and develop transformative breakthroughs in healthcare that address the needs of people in Africa and around the world.
We are excited to be part of this inspiring journey to enable African scientists to advance genomic science to help create a healthier future.
To find out more about partnering with Roche for a healthier Africa, please contact our Area Head, Maturin, via his
References
Omotoso O, et al. Global Health. 2022;18(1):103.
Peprah E, et al. Public Health Genomics. 2015;18(1):40-51.
Nelson, M, et al. The support of human genetic evidence for approved drug indications. Nat Genet 47, 856–860 (2015).
