Partner with FHI Clinical to confidently conduct high-quality research in sub-Saharan Africa

October 12, 2022

FHI Clinical Africa campaign focuses on importance of long-standing relationships, local teams and broad expertise as keys to successful research in the region

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA — FHI Clinical Inc. is showcasing sub-Saharan Africa as a clinical trial destination through its FHI Clinical Africa campaign. Running for the past eight months and culminating in a celebration at World Vaccine Congress Europe of the region’s rich cultural heritage and growing target as a hub for global clinical trials, the campaign aims to convey the company’s long-standing presence in the region. Learn more by exploring #FHIClinicalInsideAfrica on social media.
The FHI Clinical Africa campaign kicked off earlier this year at the 5th annual West Africa Consortium for Clinical Research on Epidemic Pathogens (WAC-CREP) conference held in Côte D’Ivoire. FHI Clinical employees presented findings from research conducted within the Partnership for Research on Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Liberia (PREVAIL) network.

A webinar followed, featuring South Africa–based researchers discussing Africa’s potential for clinical research. Follow-up blog posts explored the wide variety of research opportunities in infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases and emerging and reemerging diseases, as well as the maturation and expansion of research capacity in the region. Commitments by local governments and organizations to foster research and innovation have contributed to significant increases in the range of indications being studied.

A project profile video highlighted the importance of investigating existing treatments for their efficacy to treat COVID-19 in countries with limited access to new treatments, such as Ghana. A campaign video also described strategies for effective participant recruitment and retention for clinical studies being conducted in Africa.

FHI Clinical has a long history of working in sub-Saharan Africa; its parent company, FHI 360, began work in the region more than 50 years ago, and FHI Clinical has had staff on the ground throughout the region, including 250+ employees supporting the PREVAIL network. After acquiring the clinical trials business of Triclinium Clinical Development Proprietary Limited (TCD) in February of this year, FHI Clinical expanded its share of the clinical development market to become the dominant service provider in sub-Saharan Africa.

An eight-week series of FHI Clinical Africa campaign social media posts highlighted the resulting combined extensive local staff presence, decades of experience across the region and ability of FHI Clinical to respond at a moment’s notice through its local teams, strong stakeholder relationships, cultural competence and a commitment to the region and its people. Sponsors can be confident that collaborations with proven, resilient sites and experienced investigators will yield successful outcomes that benefit both local and global communities.

Localized expertise

FHI Clinical’s localized team of more than 350 employees spans sub-Saharan Africa, supported by offices in Centurion, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; and Monrovia, Liberia. The team helps guide decisions about the best-fit countries and populations for target indications and study types, while being sensitive to cultural nuances and local community needs.

Local partners and sustainable research capacity

FHI Clinical sustains relationships with local governments, research organizations, academia and other stakeholders across sub-Saharan Africa to build and sustain research capacity that stimulates scientific growth, job creation and stability in geographic areas and populations the life sciences industry often neglects. FHI Clinical works with regional institutions to establish networks of research-ready sites that focus on local health and research health priorities. This research capacity can help address public health issues around the globe, particularly in resource-limited, research-naive areas.

Responsive and adaptable

As the study design or local situation changes, FHI Clinical adapts processes and workflow without compromising study quality. Project plans, crisis communication plans, SOP templates, training and more ensure the ability to pivot in the face of changing epidemiology, instability and other potential study disruptors.

Research ready

FHI Clinical is two steps ahead, ready and able to launch studies in days rather than weeks. Based on our experience in crisis-response settings, we have developed a key set of activities and resources that support compressed trial start-up timelines.

High-quality research

Knowledgeable experts with decades of experience deliver quality solutions and services using established, validated tools that can be tailored to meet each study’s needs.
FHI Clinical will be represented at World Vaccine Congress Europe in Barcelona, Spain, October 11-14. Attendees are invited to visit booth 79 to meet team members and learn how studies in sub-Saharan Africa can benefit research projects. Attendees are also welcome to join FHI Clinical on Wednesday, October 12 at 12:30 pm CEST in meeting room #9 for a special celebration to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of sub-Saharan Africa.

Sanchia Theron, Global Head, Medical Affairs, will also present “Tuberculosis (TB): the Silent ‘Pandemic’ the World Has Forgotten” on October 14 at 10:30 am CEST. Please visit https://fhicprod.wpenginepowered.com/event/world-vaccine-congress-europe-2022/ to learn more and to book a meeting with the team.

About FHI Clinical

FHI Clinical is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) with the global expertise, responsive approaches and proven solutions to manage complex clinical research around the world. Benefitting from our 50+ year history of clinical research, our team of approximately 450 global staff has worked on studies in more than 70 countries. As problem solvers, forward thinkers and on-the-ground members of those communities, we are dedicated to helping you find solutions to the research challenges that have kept life-saving therapies from at-risk populations. Visit fhiclinical.com or contact us at info@fhiclinical.com or 919.321.3321 to learn how we can put our diverse clinical and operational expertise to work for you.

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