Africa Clinical Reseach Network

16/07/2026

𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍'𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐀𝐏 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Infectious Disease Research Laboratory (IDRL) in Harare, Zimbabwe, is the central research laboratory of the Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN).

Established in 2012, IDRL supports clinical trials and advances infectious disease diagnostics across Africa.

We are pleased to share that the laboratory has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists following an on-site inspection.

CAP inspectors reviewed IDRL’s quality-control procedures, staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety systems, records and overall management. The accreditation recognises the quality systems supporting the laboratory’s work and its continuing commitment to reliable laboratory practice.

This achievement reflects the sustained effort of IDRL’s laboratory professionals and colleagues across quality assurance, operations, facilities, safety and institutional support.

Our accompanying podcast episode explores the laboratory’s work and its CAP accreditation journey.

Read more: https://acrnhealth.com/2026/07/16/infectious-disease-research-laboratory-receives-accreditation-from-the-college-of-american-pathologists/
Listen to the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2594473/episodes/19429834

07/07/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥, 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬.

In our latest podcast episode, ACRN CEO Dr Tariro Makadzange and Regulatory Affairs Officer Knowledge Ushamba discuss the ethics, regulatory, and operational processes that shape clinical trial start-up across Africa.

They explore why approvals can take longer than expected, what drives delays, and how stronger systems — including parallel review, clearer requirements, central IRBs, and more predictable regulatory timelines — can help accelerate safe, ethical, high-quality research.

This conversation is a reminder that clinical trial timelines affect more than paperwork. They affect patient access to new treatments, Africa’s participation in global research, and our ability to generate trusted data.

Listen to the full episode:

Optimising Regulation and Ethics in Clinical Research: Building Faster, Smarter Trial Systems in AfricaWhat happens before the first participant is ever enrolled in a clinical trial? Behind every breakthrough treatment lies months of regulatory re...

01/07/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 - 𝐈𝐃𝐑𝐋'𝐬 𝐂𝐀𝐏 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

What does it take to build a laboratory in Africa that meets internationally recognised quality standards?

Join Dr Wilfred T. Gurupira, Takudzwa Magwaku, Denise Chowawa and Marvellous Fende as they discuss the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory's journey to CAP accreditation, the importance of quality management systems, and what this milestone means for clinical research across Africa.

Listen to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2594473/episodes/19429834
Or watch the discussion on Youtube: https://youtu.be/r4wjFMpgEic?si=P_LQlklgSkXRfI1S

Building World-Class from Africa: IDRL's CAP Accreditation Journey...

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚: 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩

ACRN is participating in the Trial Regulation and Clinical Ethics (TRACE) Optimisation Workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 1–4 June 2026. Representing ACRN are Romina Mariano, Chief of Staff, and Tatenda Magetsi, Policy and Advocacy Manager.

TRACE brings together National Regulatory Authorities, National Ethics Committees, research institutions, and technical partners from Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria to strengthen the systems that govern clinical trial approvals and ethics review. The workshop focuses on priorities such as digital transformation, accreditation, reliance, and financial sustainability, with the aim of improving the efficiency, quality, and transparency of review processes.

The workshop addresses a practical challenge across many African research settings: although regulatory and ethics systems continue to mature, clinical trials can still face delays because of fragmented pathways, sequential processes, and limited coordination among stakeholders. TRACE is helping countries identify these bottlenecks and explore practical ways to move from protocol submission to study activation more efficiently.

Through its participation, ACRN remains engaged in the partnerships and conversations that support a more efficient, trusted, and globally credible clinical research environment in Africa.

29/05/2026

𝐄𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐠𝐲𝐨: 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐔𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 | 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐏𝟎𝟔

The current Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak is a stark reminder that scientific preparedness cannot begin when a crisis starts.

In Episode 6 of the ACRN Podcast, Dr Wilfred Gurupira speaks with Dr Tariro Makadzange about what makes this outbreak different, why existing Ebola countermeasures may not be enough, and what it reveals about Africa's research and public health systems.

The discussion explores:

• Why the Bundibugyo strain presents unique challenges
• The role of diagnostics and genomics in outbreak response
• Gaps in vaccine and therapeutic development
• What Africa must do to strengthen preparedness for future epidemics

Beyond the outbreak itself, this conversation highlights a broader issue: Africa's need to build sustainable scientific ecosystems capable of responding to current and future health challenges.

Listen to the full episode:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2594473/episodes/19259780

27/05/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 | 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚

We’re honored to be featured alongside Oracle in Willow Health Media’s latest article examining maternal mortality, healthcare access, and the importance of expanding clinical research across Africa.

The story highlights the PROTECT-Africa trial — a collaborative study currently underway in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Tanzania focused on evaluating biomarker-based approaches for the earlier identification and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia.

The feature also explores broader challenges facing maternal healthcare systems across sub-Saharan Africa and the need for more inclusive, locally led clinical research.

Thank you to Willow Health Media for highlighting this important work.

Read the full article here:
https://willowhealthmedia.org/no-monitors-no-specialists-how-a-simple-blood-test-could-cut-pregnancy-hypertension-maternal-mortality/

20/05/2026

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮-𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

ACRN participated in the 7th TCIS Africa 2026 Conference held at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria under the theme: Empowering Africa-led Clinical Research: Sustainable Partnerships for Local and Global Health Impact.

TCIS Africa brings together clinical researchers, medical professionals, CROs, pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and academic institutions to exchange lessons and discuss the future direction of clinical trial management across the continent.

Representing ACRN were Dr Romina Mariano (Chief of Staff), Dr Wilfred T. Gurupira (Associate Director, Site Networks and Partnerships), and Ziphozenkosi Ndlovu (Communications), reflecting ACRN’s continued commitment to strengthening African-led and globally connected clinical research ecosystems.

Dr Gurupira contributed to two strategic panel discussions. On The Global Edge: Building Africa’s Most Competitive Research Sites, discussions focused on sponsor-ready infrastructure, quality systems, workforce capability, and sustainable growth for high-performing African research sites.

He also contributed to Redefining Capacity Building Through Equitable Partnerships, which explored how partnerships can move beyond transactional models toward locally driven, outcomes-focused approaches to long-term capacity strengthening.

Discussions throughout the conference reinforced a consistent theme: Africa’s growing research capability is supported by strong talent, expanding infrastructure, and increasing operational maturity. They also highlighted the importance of quality systems, collaboration, regulatory predictability, and sustainable partnerships in strengthening globally credible and locally relevant clinical research ecosystems.

For ACRN, participation at TCIS Africa 2026 aligned closely with our focus on supporting African-led clinical research systems through collaboration, site readiness, and sustainable capacity development.

19/05/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨: 𝐀𝐂𝐑𝐍 𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐈𝐌 2026

The Africa Clinical Research Network (ACRN) was represented at the Penta ID Network Meeting (PIM) 2026 in Palermo, Sicily by Dr. Gamuchirai Mapiye, an ACRN medical officer and early-career researcher with an interest in African-led clinical research systems.

The meeting brought together researchers, clinicians, public health leaders, and industry partners to discuss current priorities in pediatric infectious disease research. Key areas included antimicrobial resistance (AMR), HIV, RSV prevention, outbreak preparedness, AI-supported research systems, and integrated data infrastructure.

Reflecting on the meeting, Dr. Mapiye noted the growing emphasis on collaboration, harmonized research networks, real-world evidence generation, and sustainable implementation systems within the global research ecosystem.

Several discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening research infrastructure, surveillance systems, and international collaboration in regions most affected by infectious diseases, including across Africa.

The themes discussed at PIM 2026 align closely with ACRN’s focus on strengthening African-led clinical research systems through sustainable infrastructure, collaboration, and implementation-focused approaches.

“Experiences like this are invaluable for early-career African researchers, offering both scientific learning and exposure to the broader global research ecosystem,” said Dr. Mapiye.

ACRN appreciates opportunities that support professional development, knowledge exchange, and engagement with global research communities.

08/05/2026

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

Last Saturday, ACRN welcomed young students for a tour of our clinic, pharmacy, and laboratory spaces.

What began as an educational visit became an opportunity to spark curiosity, encourage questions, and introduce the next generation to science in practice.

At ACRN, we value opportunities to engage young minds and contribute to the development of future scientists, researchers, and healthcare leaders across Africa.

The future of African science is built through access, exposure, and inspiration.