54gene Launches 7RiverLabs, A Diagnostic Arm, Employs 100 Individuals At Sample Centres
Dec. 20, 2021, 3:18 p.m.
Nigeria’s 54gene, the health technology company advancing African genomics research for improved global health outcomes, has announced the launch of its diagnostic arm, 7RiverLabs. The diagnostic hub, fitted with state-of-the-art technology, will offer healthcare providers and patients access to world-class, cost-effective, speedy, reliable and advanced molecular diagnostics.
Formerly known as DiagnoseMe Africa, 7RiverLabs – named after the seven major rivers on the continent – is designed to equalise precision medicine for African populations. Building on that vision, 54gene has domesticated diagnostic technology, eliminating the need for samples to be sent abroad for analysis. Physicians will now be able to detect and prevent diseases earlier, thereby helping to improve patients’ treatment outcomes and quality of health.
The startup has already employed over 100 individuals at Sample collection centres open in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, with more centres due to launch in 10 major Nigerian cities in the coming months. Pan-African expansion for 7RiverLabs is also planned throughout 2022.
Launched in 2019, 54gene is a research, services and development company founded that utilises human genetic data from diverse African populations to improve the development, availability and efficacy of medical products that will benefit Africans and the wider global population.
On the launch of 7RiverLabs, 54gene Founder and CEO Dr Abasi Ene-Obong commented, “Launching 7RiverLabs is a manifestation of one of the goals 54gene set out to achieve two years ago – to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes on the continent. With the range of tests, 7RiverLabs offers, millions of Africans can begin to take greater control of their health. Our goal with this new diagnostics arm is to ensure that every African has access to our hubs offering advanced laboratory tests without having to pay an exorbitant out-of-pocket fee. Patients will receive speedy results that will guide their physicians in reducing late diagnoses leading to poor chances of survival, improve their treatment options and ultimately their quality of life.”
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Jude Uzonwanne commented, “7RiverLabs is complementing Government and industry efforts to attain the Nigerian Ministry of Health’s mandate towards improved care for the general population. Hundreds of molecular tests will be made available for millions of people at a fraction of the cost of transporting samples overseas, thereby helping to increase early disease-detection and screening rates and save lives. This is groundbreaking news for Nigeria, and as we forge trusted partnerships with leading health insurers, hospitals and healthcare professionals, we anticipate that hundreds more jobs will be created in our expansion of services across Africa”.
As of 2021, the addressable market for medical tests in Sub-Saharan Africa is currently worth US$10 billion. At present, most molecular tests are sent outside of the continent; investment in this sector will see the market witnessed an expected average rate of more than 4% growth per annum. This will be directly linked to affordability, accurate diagnoses and lighting quick turnaround times – all of which 7RiverLabs is positioned to deliver not only in Nigeria but across the continent.
In September, the health technology company with operations in Nigeria and the US secured $25 million in Series B funding to bolster its efforts to bridge the divide in the global genomics market. The fund was also used to increase the deployment of precision medicine clinical trials enabling drug discovery in Africa for both Africans and the global population.
tag: Africa, technology, Startup, Nigeria, Health Tech,
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