On Thursday April 24th, 2025, KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) welcomed a distinguished delegation from AstraZeneca led by Dr. Khomotso Mashilane, Africa Cluster Medical Director, and Fatima Cassim, Clinical Operations Director. The visit marked a significant step toward potential collaboration between the pharmaceutical giant and one of University of Nairobi’s well established clinical research institution to advance precision oncology in East Africa, with a particular initial focus on BRCA mutation profiling in Kenyan breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer patients. The meeting brought together experts from both organizations to share insights, capabilities, and explore partnership opportunities that could significantly impact cancer research and treatment paradigms in Kenya.

Distinguished Delegations: Bringing Together Expertise

The AstraZeneca delegation comprised high-level executives including Dr. Khomotso Mashilane (Africa Cluster Medical Director), Fatima Cassim (Clinical Operations Director), Dr. Benter Opanga (AstraZeneca Kenya Oncology Medical Head), Dr. William Mwiti (Medical Excellence Lead for the African Cluster), and Dr. Lilliam Ouma (Medical Science Liaison). This impressive team was welcomed by KAVI-ICR's leadership represented by Prof. Walter Jaoko (Director), Prof. Omu Anzala (Senior Scientific Lead), and Dr. Marianne Mureithi (Scientific Lead and Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Nairobi). The convergence of such expertise underscored the significance of this meeting and the potential for meaningful collaborative initiatives in cancer research tailored to the Kenyan population.

KAVI-ICR's Research Capabilities Showcase

The KAVI-ICR team presented a comprehensive overview of the institute's history and extensive capabilities in clinical research, laboratory investigations, and social-behavioral studies. A key highlight of the presentation was KAVI-ICR's advanced laboratory infrastructure that enables endpoint analysis to be conducted locally, eliminating the need to ship samples abroad. This capability represents a significant advantage for conducting time-sensitive cancer research while building local expertise and capacity. The presentation demonstrated KAVI-ICR's readiness to partner with global pharmaceutical entities like AstraZeneca in conducting high-quality, locally relevant research that meets international standards.

Proposed BRCA Mutation Profiling Study: Understanding Kenya's Cancer Landscape

Dr. Noel Onyango, who heads the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) division at KAVI-ICR, led a presentation on a proposed groundbreaking study focused on BRCA mutation profiling in Kenyan breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer patients. The multidisciplinary research team includes breast surgeons, OBGYN surgeons, urologists, molecular oncologists, cancer biologists, and statisticians – reflecting the comprehensive approach necessary for such complex research. This study aims to characterize the genetic landscape of these cancers in the Kenyan population, potentially revealing unique mutation patterns that could inform more targeted and effective treatment approaches.

AstraZeneca's Drug Pipeline and Plans for Kenya

Following KAVI-ICR's presentations, the AstraZeneca team shared insights into their current drug development pipeline across their entire portfolio, with special emphasis on oncology therapeutics. They outlined their strategic plans for Kenya, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the growing cancer burden in the country through innovative pharmaceutical solutions. This exchange provided valuable context for both parties to identify potential synergies between AstraZeneca's therapeutic focus areas and KAVI-ICR's research priorities, particularly in the realm of non-communicable diseases for Kenyan patients.

Fostering Academic-Pharmaceutical Collaborations

A significant portion of the discussions centered on the critical need for productive collaborations between academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to advance cancer research in Africa. Representatives from both KAVI-ICR and the University of Nairobi emphasized that such partnerships are essential to improve the understanding of cancer from genetic, immunological, and epidemiological perspectives on the continent. The potential collaboration would leverage AstraZeneca's pharmaceutical expertise and resources alongside KAVI-ICR's research capabilities and intimate knowledge of local cancer patterns to generate contextually relevant scientific insights that could transform cancer care in Kenya.

Laboratory and Clinical Facility Tour

The productive meeting concluded with a comprehensive tour of KAVI-ICR's state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and clinical areas, allowing the AstraZeneca team to witness firsthand the institute's research infrastructure and capabilities. The delegation subsequently visited a cancer ward at Kenyatta National Hospital, providing them with valuable insights into the realities of cancer care in Kenya and reinforcing the importance of their potential collaboration with KAVI-ICR in addressing these challenges.

Advancing Precision Oncology in Kenya

This visit represents a promising step toward enhancing precision oncology approaches in Kenya through targeted research on BRCA mutations in Kenyan cancer patients. By combining KAVI-ICR's research excellence and local expertise with AstraZeneca's global experience in cancer therapeutics, this potential partnership could significantly contribute to understanding the unique genetic characteristics of cancer in Kenyan populations and ultimately lead to more effective, personalized treatment strategies.

Dr. Marianne Mureithi expressed her optimism about the potential collaboration: "We are delighted to host our colleagues from AstraZeneca and share our vision for advancing cancer research in Kenya. This potential partnership could significantly enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of cancers affecting our population and potentially lead to more targeted therapeutic approaches tailored to our patients needs."