Page 9 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

GENERAL INFORMATION

over US $45 million from USAID for the "HIV Vaccine dimensions. Notably, there has been a substantial
Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in increase in the representation of Black and Black
Africa (HIV-VISTA)" programme, aimed at developing African individuals within the SAMRC Board, the
and testing novel HIV vaccines in Africa. Additionally, Executive Management Committee, and throughout
SAMRC entered a partnership with Afrigen Biologics our workforce. Similarly, there has been a marked rise
and mRNA Victoria to expedite collaboration on in the number of Black and Black African recipients
next-generation mRNA vaccines and medicines. In of scholarships, research grants, and Extramural
terms of research funding, the SAMRC awarded a Research Unit designations.
R21 million grant to the South African TB Vaccine
Initiative for Phase III of the Regional Prospective Our transformation plan encompasses key pillars such
Observational Research on Tuberculosis Project as employment equity, personal and interpersonal
(RePORT III), for basic science and biomarker research development, professional training programmes,
to advance TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. The broad-based black economic empowerment, and
SAMRC was appointed as the project executing interinstitutional collaboration. We are confident these
agency and will report to the Department of Science pillars will fortify SAMRC's resilience amid the prevailing
and Innovation through a steering committee as uncertainties, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders.
part of the agreement that South Africa signed
with Germany's KfW Development Bank for vaccine As this will be my last Annual Report as the CEO and
development and production. Under the agreement, President of the SAMRC, I reflect on my tenure with
the German government, through KfW, will provide pride. Leading this esteemed organisation for the
South Africa with €20 million for vaccine production past decade has been a privilege. Working in tandem
over a period of five years. The grant is exclusively with an outstanding Senior Executive team, we've
for financing equipment for the development, accomplished notable milestones, such as securing
production and certification of active pharmaceutical five consecutive clean audits and spearheading
ingredients for vaccine production in South Africa. transformative grant funding initiatives that
substantially enhance support for young scientists,
And recently, we signed a Memorandum of black African scientists, and women. We have also
Agreement (MOA) with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. forged essential collaborations and partnerships
to collaborate on the establishment of a Centre of poised to propel scientific research forward.
Excellence and training programme in the field of
molecular biology and life sciences in South Africa. The SAMRC will remain my home as I transition into
The purpose of this collaboration is to address full-time research focusing primarily on HIV vaccines
the challenges faced by the African continent in and other areas of vaccinology to address pressing
upskilling graduates and laboratory personnel, health challenges across the African continent. I
particularly in the areas of practical applications and am committed to fostering partnerships with local
exposure to the latest technologies in molecular and international collaborators to advance medical
biology and life sciences. science and research in South Africa.

Going forward, one of SAMRC's areas of focus is the In conclusion, I would like to extend my heartfelt
localisation of research and development (R&D) and gratitude to the National Minister of Health, the
its profound impact on fostering innovation at scale. Board, the Executive Management Committee, the
We firmly believe that by localising R&D efforts, we SAMRC staff, and all stakeholders for their unwavering
can cultivate innovative solutions that directly address support throughout my tenure. I am profoundly
the health challenges confronting South Africans. grateful for the opportunity to serve SAMRC, the
This commitment entails investing in local talent, scientific community, and the public at large. To the
forging partnerships with domestic institutions, and new President and CEO, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi,
conducting research aligned with the South African I offer my support and best wishes for success in
context. Furthermore, SAMRC is dedicated to nurturing guiding SAMRC towards even greater heights.
local capacity in research and innovation through
comprehensive training and mentorship initiatives.

Our ongoing pursuit of organisational transformation,
scientific advancement, and leadership development
remains central to our strategic vision. A decade-
long review of SAMRC's transformation efforts
underscores significant demographic shifts toward Professor Glenda E. Gray
equity across various intramural and extramural SAMRC President and Chief Executive Officer

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 7