Page 185 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

Supporting Innovation

GIPD manages internal and external funding
programmes to deliver new health solutions,
including the SHIP programme and Grand
Challenges South Africa. The innovation
component additionally hosts the SAMRC’s
Technology Transfer Office (TTO), the Global Health
Innovation Accelerator (GHIA), the Medical Device
and Diagnostic Innovation Cluster (MeDDIC) and
the SAMRC-TIA Seed Fund, all of which provide
innovation support to advance technologies
towards commercialised products to address
strategic goal 3 of the SAMRC.

Technology Transfer Office Participants at the Convening for Climate
and Health Innovation, held in Cape Town
The SAMRC Technology Transfer Office’s main in November 2025.
mandate is to identify, evaluate, protect, and where
possible, commercialise intellectual property (IP)
developed by SAMRC researchers, as well as to raise
awareness of IP issues within the organisation. The As part of this initiative, the SAMRC facilitated
TTO also provides advice on IP matters in contracts access to WIPO Intellectual Property courses in
with external parties. During FY2025/2026, two new 2024 and 2025.
actionable invention disclosures were received,
relating to nutrient supplementation aimed at Global Health Innovation Accelerator
improving maternal and child health outcomes and The Global Health Innovation Accelerator (GHIA)
the development of a linkage platform connecting is an innovation support programme within GIPD
data from the new DIASA app to the FoodFinder focused on advancing global health innovation and
dietary analysis programme. Additionally, the strengthening capacity. Specifically, GHIA helps
TTO is part of the World Intellectual Property with the local development and implementation of a
Organization (WIPO) Technology and Innovation portfolio of affordable, affordable and appropriate
Support Centre (TISC) initiative in South Africa. health-focused technologies as well as broader
TISC seeks to enhance the operations and efficiency health innovation ecosystem development. This is
of the Offices of Technology Transfer and SMEs currently facilitated through the MeDDIC and seed
to stimulate innovation and economic growth. fund programmes.

SWEAT Africa 2026 participants, Stellenbosch February, 2026. Credit: SWEAT Africa Communications.

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