Page 132 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management
of Obesity in Adults, informing key sections on
epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical
assessment, thereby strengthening the national
evidence base for obesity policy and practice.

The OPTIMA project sought to identify early,
modifiable biomarkers and develop personalised
nutrition strategies for the prevention of type 2
diabetes (T2D). Additional studies examined the
prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated
steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its association
with T2D in a middle-aged African cohort. In a Cohort4-Young professionals trained in the
randomised controlled trial, BRIP assessed the fourth impactful CSSFF-SAMRC program,
effects of baobab fruit powder on gut permeability, catering to the specific needs of pharmaceutical
manufacturing and research in Africa.
cardiometabolic risk, and safety, with findings
expected in 2026/27.

Maternal and child health research investigated
diabetes in pregnancy and identified DNA
methylation and serum biomarkers associated with
adverse outcomes, supporting early risk prediction
and improved clinical management. Collectively,
this work contributes to the development of
evidence-based nutritional and preventative
interventions tailored to African populations.

BRIP’s cancer research focused on identifying
population-specific drivers of disease using multi-
omics approaches in breast cancer research. This
work advances precision oncology through the
identification of epigenetically regulated pathways It is the OPTIMA (Omics approach to the
and biomarkers relevant to African populations. personalized prevention of type 2 diabetes in
African and European populations) meeting
Collectively, BRIP’s research activities during held in October 2025 including researchers
2025/2026 strengthened translational research from Sweden, Germany, and Ghana.
pipelines, advanced locally relevant evidence-
based interventions, and supported improved
health outcomes across Africa.
practitioners, and international institutions across
Building Capacity Through Africa, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
Training, Mentorship, and Support A flagship initiative is the SAMRC–Chan Soon-

BRIP continues to implement impactful capacity Shiong Family Foundation Biopharmaceutical
development initiatives to strengthen Africa’s Manufacturing Training Studentship Programme,
biomedical research workforce while promoting which provided 20 interns with practical training in
equity and inclusive participation in health vaccine and biologics production, quality control,
innovation. and regulatory processes. Designed to bridge
the gap between academic learning and industry
Capacity development remains central to BRIP’s requirements, the programme achieved strong
mandate. During the 2025/2026 financial year, outcomes, with 76% of interns transitioning into roles
the Platform graduated PhD and MSc students in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.
and trained interns through national academic
and industry-linked programmes. BRIP maintains BRIP further expanded its training footprint
strong collaborative partnerships with universities, through the Centre for Advanced Training and
research councils, industry, traditional medicine Innovative Research (CATIR) programme, which

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