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ANNUAL
REVIEW
2016
Our passion
for what we
do makes us
pioneers in our
s e c t o r.
Contact Information
Wits Health Consortium
Te l e p h o n e : + 2 7 1 1 2 7 4 9 2 0 0
Fax: + 2 7 1 1 2 74 9 3 0 4
Email: info@witshealth.co.za
We b s i t e : w w w.w i t s h e a l t h . c o . z a
WHC 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW
CONTENTS
Wits Health Consortium
2016 Annual Review
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHC STRUCTURE
04 16
INTRODUCTION B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S
05 17
W H C C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E MAJOR RESEARCH UNITS
05 24
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW OT H E R R E S E A R C H U N I TS
06 49
HUMAN RESOURCE OVERVIEW MESSAGE FROM CEO
12 52
VISION, MISSION & MESSAGE FROM
VA L U E S F A C U LT Y
14/15 52
4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
We a r e t h e r e s u l t o f o u r h a r d wo r k .
Our passion for what we do makes us
p i o n e e r s i n o u r s e c t o r.
The Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd (WHC) is a private, wholly owned
company of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits).
WHC was established as a result of an initiative from the Faculty of Health
Sciences which proposed the company in order to unlock commercial
opportunities that would provide additional sources of revenue for the
Faculty and its Departments. Council approved the Faculty’s proposal
in October 1997 and the Company was registered in 1998.
All academic endeavors are directed, managed and controlled
through the University structures with WHC research active staff joint
appointed with the University conducting research, managing donor-
funded activities, clinical trials and pursuing entrepreneurial innovation
in health.
WHC operates a Shared Services Centre (SSC) and several key subsidiary
businesses.
INTRODUCTION 5 The Wits Health Consortium (WHC) was formed in 1998 as an entity through which the Faculty of Health Sciences is able to undertake third stream income activities. This is done while supporting academic research and the management of donor funding for research as well as related activities in the medical and health sciences industry. We have numerous research entities that we service and they operate in South Africa, across the African continent, in the US as well as Europe. We are the enabling environment for an entrepreneurial approach to academia. We perform this role through our Shared Services Centre (SSC), which employs over 170 skilled staff. By doing what we do well, we free up our internationally renowned academics and researchers to do what they do best we enable them to pursue specialist research in their respective fields of expertise. This report provides an overview of our operations and highlights the success of our research units and their achievements during 2016. WHC Shared Support Centre (SSC): These are entities are in support of WHC academic activities and the Faculty of Health Sciences strategy We operate a SSC to support research activities and provide the following support: • Financial Administration • Contract and Legal Services • IT Solutions • Human Resource Management • Training and Development • Payroll Services • Research Ethics • Clinical Trials • Grant Management • Internal Audits • Continuing Professional Development • Speer IT Services and Solutions: Software, IT systems, network connectivity and cloud storage and management solutions • Integrated Health Delivery Network: Self-funding clinical health centres and medical teaching platforms that offer affordable and quality healthcare • Academic Advance: Good Clinical Practice courses and training, conducted in line with CPD requirements for the Health Professions Council of South Africa • Ukwenza Print and Graphics Studio: Graphic and web design, print and multi-media production and research data collection and design
6 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
2016
FINANCIAL
OVERVIEW
Our financial
overview
gives us the
opportunity to
provide a view
of the financial
position of
Wits Health
Consortium.7
WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM PROPRIETARY LIMITED
STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For years 2016 and 2015
2016 2015
R R
Surplus before operating expenses 1,573,710,183 1,119,368,517
Expenses 1,569,938,702 1,114,999,307
Personnel costs 917,041,451 669,782,248
Consultants 99,205,904 25,401,748
Depreciation 29,884,500 23,439,580
Operational costs 444,939,393 342,897,899
Travel costs 64,705,781 42,231,367
Training costs 14,161,673 11,246,465
Surplus before net finance income 3,771,481 4,369,210
Net finance income 39,849,607 26,559,464
Surplus before income tax 43,621,088 30,928,674
Income tax expense 92,374 115,282
Surplus for the year 43,528,714 30,813,392
Attributable to
CORE 15,370,117 9,759,875
Syndicates - Restricted - -
Syndicates - Unrestricted 28,158,597 21,053,517
Dividend declared to the University of
6,800,000 5,600,000
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg8
WITS HEALTH CONSORTIUM PROPRIETARY LIMITED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
For years 2016 and 2015
2016 2015
R R
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 138,016,083 101,981,483
Goodwill 485,608 485,608
Deferred tax 53,107 -
138,554,798 102,467,091
Current assets
Inventory 1,352,733 738,014
Trade and other receivables 238,123,374 187,521,513
Tax receivable 111,088 89,903
Cash and cash equivalents 770,413,738 666,316,694
1,010,000,933 854,666,124
Total Assets 1,148,555,731 957,133,215
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital 100 100
Accumulated reserves 351,755,113 315,026,399
351,755,213 315,026,499
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings 1,654,334 2,148,958
Deferred income 1,267,503 5,069,892
Deferred tax - 222
2,921,837 7,219,0729
2016 2015
R R
Current liabilities
Borrowings 502,544 464,526
Deferred income 3,802,390 3,802,390
Trade and other payables 185,686,678 165,065,141
Income received in advance 597,962,591 460,525,793
Unallocated receipts 5,924,478 5,029,794
793,878,681 634,887,644
Total Liabilities 796,800,518 642,106,716
Total equity and liabilities 1,148,555,731 957,133,215
CASH BALANCES
900
800
700
600
Millions
500
400
300
200
100
2012 2013 2014 2015 201610
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
160
140
120
Millions
100
80
60
40
20
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
INCOME GROWTH PROJECTIONS
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
Millions
1,000
800
600
400
200
2014 2015 2016 2017 201811
DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS
8
7
6
Millions
5
4
3
2
1
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
INCOME PER DONOR
800
700
600
Millions
500
400
300
200
100
ID
IH
F
L
S
C
ER
LS
IA
G
D
D
N
A
C
TH
N
BM
C
C
US
FU
ER
O
M
L
BA
M
LO
O
C
G12
2016 HUMAN RESOURCE OVERVIEW
JOINT APPOINTMENTS
EE STS (All) EE STS Active
Division Headcount Joint Appointment Title Headcount
Clinical HIV Research Unit 8 Associate Researcher 30
Health Economics Research Office 20 Lecturer 4
Johannesburg Oncology 1 Researcher 74
MatCH Research Unit 7 Senior Researcher 13
MatCH Health Systems 3 Associate Professor 5
Non Communicable Disease Visiting Professor 1
1
Research
Perinatal HIV Research Unit 28 Professor (Chair / Personal) 1
Respiratory & Meningeal Pathogens Grand Total 132
13
Research Unit
Rural Health Advocacy Project 1
Sbimb-H3ABionet 1
Wits Reproductive Health & HIV
45
Institute
Grand Total 128
Other Syndicates
Respiratory & Meningeal 8% Perinatal HIV Research Unit
Pathogens Research Unit 13%
8%
WHC - SSC
6%
Agincourt
5%
Clinical HIV Research Unit
4%
MatCH Research Unit MatCH Health Systems
4% 20%
Clinical Laboratory Services
3%
Health Economics Research
Office
2%
Non Communicable Disease
Research
2%
Empilweni Services & Research
Unit National Institute for
1% Communicable Disease Wits Reproductive Health &
1% HIV Institute
23%
National Institute for Communicable Disease Empilweni Services & Research Unit
Non Communicable Disease Research Health Economics Research Office
Clinical Laboratory Services Clinical HIV Research Unit
MatCH Research Unit Agincourt
WHC - SSC Respiratory & Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
Other Syndicates Perinatal HIV Research Unit
MatCH Health Systems Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute13 2016 HUMAN RESOURCE OVERVIEW CONT. SYNDICATES DECEMBER 2016 HEADCOUNTS National Institute for Communicable Disease 36 Empilweni Services & Research Unit 38 Non Communicable Disease Research 53 Health Economics Research Office 72 Clinical Laboratory Services 87 Clinical HIV Research Unit 115 MatCH Research Unit 126 Agincourt 170 WHC - SSC 185 Respiratory & Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit 254 Other Syndicates 269 Perinatal HIV Research Unit 439 MatCH Health Systems 653 Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute 760 Total 3257
14
Our
Mission is
to support
the
teaching,
research
and public
health
service
mission of
Faculty15
V i s i o n , M i s s i o n a n d Va l u e s
Our Vision is to be a valued strategic partner of Faculty, recognised for the additional resources,
commercial / business expertise and supplementary income we are able to make available to it.
Our Mission is to support the teaching, research and public health service mission of Faculty;
either through the provision of commercial and administrative support for income-generating
activities ancillary to the main objectives of Faculty (namely teaching, research, and the
provision of medical services), or by directly engaging in teaching, research, medical service
or other related activities which are complementary to the main objectives of Faculty.
Our Values:
Stewardship - We recognize our role as stewards of the Faculty’s assets by managing our resources
responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
Employees - We are committed to the success of our employees, as they are our most valuable resource,
and so provide them opportunities for development, growth and personal success.
Respect - We are courteous, conscientious and respectful in our dealings with our customers, employees,
Faculty and the communities where we work.
Variety - We embrace different viewpoints and support mutually beneficial partnerships among a diverse
mix of individuals, departments, institutions, and community groups. We also embrace the wide and
varied range of activities that we undertake in achieving our Vision and Mission.
Integrity - We conduct ourselves in a fair, ethical and honest manner. We strive to
make all decisions in the best interests of our customers, employees, Faculty and the
communities where we work. We are accountable and answerable for our actions.
Customer Service - We value innovative, timely, efficient, solution-oriented, and
cost-effective services and systems. We are committed to achieving the highest
levels of customer satisfaction achievable, given the resources at our disposal.
Entrepreneurship - We foster a culture where entrepreneurship and prudent risk taking are encouraged,
where the entrepreneur is able to benefit as a partner in their venture.16 W I T S H E A LT H C O N S O R T I U M S T R U C T U R E
Our Board of Directors include leading academics, business
experts and specialist advisors
• Professor Martin Veller is the Non-Executive Director and Chairman of WHC
• Mr Alfred Farrell is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
A skilled Executive Team oversees day-to-day operations of WHC and comprises the
following:
Mr Alf Farrell Chief Executive Officer
Dr Ntsikelelo Itumeleng Funani Chief Academic Officer
Mr Ralph Bagirathi Chief Operations Officer
Mrs Christine Grobler Deputy Chief Operations Officer
Mr Jean Du Randt Chief Financial Officer
Mr Daniel Mosia Chief Strategic Officer
Mr Mamatsabu Maphike Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Mr Karl Basson Head of Speer Management Services (IT)
Mrs Robyn Hayes-Badenhorst Head of the Office of the CEO
B E H I N D O U R B R A N D I S A G R E AT T E A MB OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S 17
WHC has a highly-respected Board of Directors, selected for their internationally
recognized academic excellence and management experience.
Responsible for overseeing all governance, internal controls, risk management, financial
management and human resource services that WHC provides to its research units and
to the University of the Witwatersrand.
Non-Executive Director and Chairman
Professor Martin Veller
MB BCh, FCS (SA), M Med (Surg)
Professor Veller is Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the
University of the Witwatersrand and a Professor in the University’s
Department of Surgery. He is an expert in Vascular Surgery with
extensive academic, research and teaching experience. Professor
Veller also serves on the Board of Directors of the Wits Donald Gordon
Medical Centre. He has trained at the University of Witwatersrand
and at St. Mary’s hospital at London’s Imperial College
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
Mr Alfred Farrell
B Comm, B Compt (Honours), CA (SA)
Mr Farrell is a skilled financial and accounting manager with many
years of experience in senior financial management positions at
companies such as the Automobile Association of South Africa,
Interleisure and the Premier Group. Prior to joining WHC in 2002, Alf
held the position of Chief Financial Officer for BDFM Publishers (Pty)
Ltd.
Mr Farrell has steered Wits Health Consortium with invaluable insights
gained through his successful career. Since joining Wits Health
Consortium Mr Farrell has directed its portfolio of development
and research programmes, managed through the Shared Service
Centre, and has ensured the growth of Wits Health Consortium has
been combined with high standards of delivery. Under Mr. Farrell’s
tenure the total income of Wits Health Consortium has grown from
R150 million in 2002 to over R1.8billion in 201618 Board of Directors
Mr Desmond Arnold
CA (SA), FCMA, AMP (Wharton)
Mr Arnold is a highly-skilled accountant and has held
numerous financial positions in some of South Africa’s leading
corporates. He is a past President of the South African Institute
of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and was awarded
honorary life membership in recognition of his services to the
accounting profession. Mr Arnold is Chairman of the WHC
Audit Committee and is also a member of the WHC Risk
Committee. He is also a Trustee of the Absa Pension Fund.
Dr Rachel Chikwamba
MBA, PhD (Genetics)
Dr Chikwamba is responsible for strategic alliances and
communication and is an expert in scientific and industrial
research. Her research has focused on metabolic engineering
for nutrition and pharmaceutical applications. She has
studied in the US and Australia and was an Honorary
Research Fellow at St George’s Hospital at the University of
London. She has also taught post-graduate classes at the
University of Pretoria.
Mr Prakash Desai
B Comm, B Compt (Honours), CA (SA)
With many years of experience and skill in senior
management roles, Mr Desai supports WHC in areas such
as risk, audit, strategy and investment. He is currently Chief
Executive Officer at Afrifocus Securities and worked as a
former Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director at
Avusa. Prior to this, he was a Non-Executive Director at M-net
Supersport Ltd and at Caxton Publishers and Printers Ltd.Board of Directors 19 Professor Mkhululi Lukhele MB BCh, M Med (Orthopaedics), FCS (SA) Professor Lukhele heads up the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Faculty of Health Sciences. He has published widely and has specialised in orthopaedic research, including areas such as spinal cord injuries and spinal tuberculosis in HIV patients. Professor Lukhele has participated in various multi-national clinical trial studies and is Academic Head of the Wits University Division of Orthopaedics. Professor Johnny Mahlangu MB BCh, M Med (Haem), FCPath (SA) (Haem) (Clin Haem) Professor Mahlangu is Head of the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Pathology and Head of the Haematology Diagnostic Section in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology. He has peer reviewed many journal publications and international congress presentations. He also sits on the editorial boards of various haemophilia treatment guideline committees and participates in multi-national clinical trials. Dr Tshepo Motsepe MB BCh; MA (Public Health) Dr Motsepe is a KwaZulu-Natal and Harvard University graduate. She has worked in private medical practice locally and abroad and has developed specialist knowledge in several fields, including family health, refugee health and HIV. She was Deputy Director of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg and Ch airperson of the Health Accreditation Committee for the Gauteng Provincial Government.
20 Board of Directors
Associate Professor Maria Papathanasopoulos
Professor Papathanasopoulos is an established scientist who has built
an exceptional reputation in the infectious diseases, bioinformatics,
and virology fields. She has established world class laboratories that
conduct innovative research on HIV-1 drug discovery, and vaccine
designs that are recognised at a national, regional and international
level. In the last eight years she has completed research for the
South African Strategic Health Innovation Platform, the South African
HIV/AIDS Research and Innovation Platform, the National Research
Foundation, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Innovation
Fund, the Carnegie Foundation, the Poliomyelitis Research
Foundation and several others.
Professor Helen Rees
GCOB, OBE, MBBChir, MA (CANTAB), MRCGP,
DCH, DRCOG, RCOG FP Instructor
Professor Rees is Executive Director of the Wits Reproductive
Health and HIV Institute. Her specialist area focuses on HIV
and Reproductive Health and she has published extensively
in these fields. She has been internationally recognised for
her expertise and for her contribution both nationally and
internationally to research and medical advances in these
areas.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi
PhD (Physics)
Professor Vilakazi is Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research
and Post-Graduate Affairs at the University of the
Witwatersrand. His research interests include computational
physics and heavy-ion collisions at high energies and his
work saw him nominated as a Young Global Leader by the
World Economic Forum in 2010. He is globally recognised
for his expert knowledge in physics and nuclear research.Board of Directors 21
Mr Mahomed Salim Ismail (Mac) Gani
Mac Gani is an independent consultant with a distinguished
career in accounting and financial management. He spent
two years working in London for an auditing firm and has
gained valuable experience locally working his way up to
being a partner in a leading accounting firm as well as a
financial executive leader. He has also developed a special
interest in higher education and health services.
Sub-Committees
The following Sub-committees have been established to assist the
Board to perform its duties.
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Strategy and Investment Committee
• Academic Oversight Committee
• Social and Ethics Committee (incorporating Sustainability Committee)
• Directors’ Affairs Committee22
23
MAJOR
RESEARCH UNITS
201624 MAJOR RESEARCH UNITS
Wits Reproductive Health Institute
The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) aims to
tackle Africa’s health challenges through science and innovation.
It is acclaimed for its pioneering research, innovating services and
providing evidence-based policy development and advocacy. Its
areas of expertise cover HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and
Vaccine Preventable Diseases.
Who we are: Wits RHI is part of the Wits RHI began implementing the
Faculty of Health Sciences of the OPTIMIZE project, a rigorous clinical
University of the Witwatersrand and trial that will potentially yield a new
the largest research institute within the first-line regimen with the potential to
university. It is committed to developing transform healthcare for HIV-positive
and conducting relevant research, people. This will operate in tandem
and providing technical assistance with an engagement programme that
Professor Helen Rees
and capacity building that is geared incorporates communities, clinicians
Executive Director of the Wits
to informing policy development and regulators. If successful, OPTIMIZE
Reproductive Health and HIV
and evidence-based programmes. will be better tolerated, allowing for
Institute
We push boundaries with innovation improved durability through better
Head Office Contact Details: in health services by using a multi- adherence.
University of the Witwatersrand pronged approach to improve health
Hillbrow Health Precinct outcomes and influence policy. This Wits RHI was awarded USAID-UNITAID
Hugh Solomon Building ranges from generating evidence funding for ADVANCE, a study that
Hillbrow, 2001 related to health issues, to testing falls under OPTIMIZE and will compare
Tel: +27 11 358 5300 and evaluating interventions, to newer drugs in the first line ARV regimen
Email: rhicomms@wrhi.ac.za translating evidence into policy. to standard of care.
Web: www.wrhi.ac.za We continued with three robust United
Strategy in 2016: We continued to grow States President’s Emergency Plan for
our research footprint in our three key AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programmes with
focus areas, namely HIV, Sexual and a strong implementation science focus,
Reproductive Health and Vaccine aimed at strengthening care for sex
Preventable Diseases. We consolidated workers and truck drivers, adolescents
our leadership in the fields of HIV and the youth. These programmes are
prevention and treatment, completing aimed at supporting districts to achieve
several globally significant trials. We their goals for HIV testing, initiation of
also launched several new research treatment and viral suppression at 12
initiatives on HIV treatment optimisation months after treatment initiation as laid
for adults and children. out by UNAIDS.
Wits RHI has developed a significant Regarding new developments in HIV
portfolio of HIV treatment optimisation prevention, technologies continued to
work with the aim of developing be developed including Pre-Exposure
safer, more robust and less expensive Prophylaxis (PrEP). We presented and
antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens. published the results of our Microbicide
This reduction in costs will help improve Trials Network ASPIRE dapivirine ring
health outcomes as more and more trial. Open-label extension studies now
people access ART follow while registration of this product
is pending.
Key developments in 2016: We also initiated enrolment into theMajor Research Units 25
exciting HPTN 081 trial of the safety Wits RHI staff engaged with national research grants were investigator
and efficacy of VRC01 monoclonal policy makers on the finalisation driven.
antibodies for the prevention of HIV. of a cervical cancer prevention
strategy, and contributed at a global Wits RHI staff published 83 papers in ISI
Furthermore, 2016 was an important level to policy initiatives around the accredited journals. This was achieved
year for launching several programmes development of vaccines for sexually with a staff of 45 joint appointments,
operating at the policy, facility and transmitted infections. while 15% are classified as research
end-user level to demonstrate how active. The organisation has a robust
best to deliver PrEP in South Africa to Wits RHI staff extended their work on postgraduate support programme with
sex workers, adolescent girls and young Sexual and Reproductive Health and 17 PhD candidates affiliated to it.
women. Wits RHI actively contributed the interface with Vaccine Preventable
to PrEP guidelines and training and Diseases by initiating several studies on In 2016 Wits RHI had a staff complement
engaged in technical working groups vaccination of pregnant women and of 748. A significant proportion of
to advise the Department of Health. or/infants. staff are female, and attention is
We were central to the success of the The Institute will participate in a phase III given to ensuring the development
launch of the National Sex Worker study to determine the immunogenicity and representation of historically
programme by the South African and safety of a Respiratory Syncytial disadvantaged groups in leadership
National AIDS Council, which included Virus (RSV) F Nanoparticle vaccine and management positions.
PrEP delivery. Wits RHI staff also with aluminum in healthy third trimester Our contribution to policy continued
supported the national She Conquers pregnant women (RSV-M-301). to gain local and global recognition
campaign, aimed at reducing HIV We will also participate in a phase 1/11 in 2016. Our staff were invited to
incidence in adolescent girls and young double bind, randomised, placebo- present at conferences, to contribute
women. An important addition to our controlled descending-age, dose to conference committees, and to
work has been the inclusion of research escalation study to examine the safety, provide expert guidance on policy
around prevention of gender-based tolerability and immunogenicity of and programme development. Sixty
violence within these HIV programmes. the trivalent P2-VP8 subunit rotavirus presentations were made across a
Results from this work will be known in vaccine in healthy South African adults, range of platforms, including 56 oral
the next two years. toddlers and infants. presentations.
A study to explore strategies to eliminate Wits RHI is working with the Respiratory Also, 58 abstract-driven presentations
mother to child transmission of HIV and Meningeal Pathogens Research including 16 oral presentations, 20
(EMTCT) was launched in 2016. Known Unit (RMPRU) to lead the development poster presentations and 22 poster
as the Mother-Infant Pairs Study, this of the African Local Initiative for exhibitions were made at international
prospective cohort study will provide Vaccinology Expertise (ALIVE) conferences.
important data on HIV incidence consortium, which will strengthen Apart from its research output, Wits
and risk factors for new HIV infections vaccinology research capacity in the RHI continued to provide expert
in mothers and infants, explore ART region, and address a region-specific guidance on policy and programme
use in pregnancy and post-partum Vaccine Preventable Disease agenda development. The Institute played
and explore the potential for male across the spectrum, ranging from a key role in the development of
involvement in these programmes. vaccine discovery to vaccine. the Prevention of Mother To Child
ALIVE secured a grant from the Bill & Transmission of HIV National Guidelines.
On a global level, the ECHO study was Melinda Gates Foundation for start-up
launched in several countries. Aimed at activities and was recently awarded
quantifying whether there is an excess a grant by the National Research
risk of HIV infection in women who use Foundation as a Wits University Flagship
injectable contraception compared Project.
with other forms of contraception,
this study will provide important and Other achievements: In 2016, Wits RHI
possibly definitive data to address this had 67 grants totalling over R400m
question. under management. Of this, 33% of26 Major Research Units
Wits Perinatal HIV
Research Institute
The Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), celebrating 21 years of
research excellence, aims to improve life through research. PHRU’s
research scope spans HIV and TB prevention and its treatment.
Who we are: The PHRU is a large clinical We continue to conduct adult, pediatric
research unit with diverse capacity to and adolescent HIV and TB research
conduct a range of observational and and in 2016, we were awarded The NIH
clinical trial research. We are a Unit Division of AIDS clinical research site
of the University of the Witwatersrand. (CRS) status in Matlosan, building on our
Although our primary research site exisiting CRS’s in Soweto.
remains Soweto, after 20 years, we
Dr Neil Martinson have three research sites in Limpopo, We continued to recruit into four
Executive Director of the Wits one in Botshabelo, in the Free State, US Government-funded cluster
Perinatal HIV Research Unit and a large site in Matlosana (around randomized trails assessing earlier
Klerksdorp) in North West Province. We diagnosis of TB in household contacts
Head Office Contact Details:
are expanding capacity at these sites of TB cases and HIV-infected pregnant
New Nurses Home
to conduct clinical research into the women.
Chris Hani Baragwanath
HIV and TB epidemics
Academic Hospital
In addition to numerous investigator-
Soweto, Johannesburg
Our External Mission is to conduct driven and publicly-funded clinical
Tel: +27 11 989 9700
community-partnered, ethical, trials, PHRU also conducts clinical trials
Email: 011 989 9700
innovative and multi-disciplinary for pharma. PHRU has established
Web: www.phru.co.za
research that influences knowledge important behavioural and social
and policy. science research. We continue to
advocate for research access and the
Our Internal Mission is to provision of care to key communities.
develop passionate, caring and
empowered researchers to work Strategy in 2016: Our focus was on
in the health development sector. increasing the number of publications
that our investigators authored and
Research in 2016: PHRU continued also to increase and diversify grant
having an impact on clinical income. Indeed in 2016, PHRU staffers
research. In 2016, we published over co-authored 54 publications.
52 manuscripts in international peer-
reviewed publications. We were In 2016, PHRU continued to participate
awarded several new grants and in Community Advisory Boards (CABs)
continued and expanded others. HIV alongside traditional healers, religious
vaccine research has been a particular leaders, social workers, police officers,
focus and in 2016 PHRU both prepared LGBTIs and NGOs participating in CABS
for and recruited to several important in Soweto and Matlosana.
clinical HIV vaccine trials.
Research was conducted for the
Moreover, we planned to expand PHRU IMPAACT network (International
capacity to recruit at two separate Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS
vaccine research sites in Soweto. Clinical Trials) and the ACTG (AIDS
Clinical Trials Group).Major Research Units 27
PHRU teams also worked on the HPTN Facilities in 2016: PHRU continued to
programme (HIV Prevention Trials enjoy a well-established, world class
Network) and the HVTN (HIV Vaccine research facility.
Trials Network). This includes a series of research clinics
and counselling centres, a pharmacy,
Ground-breaking study in 2016: We a laboratory, a data management
launched the first-ever HIV vaccine centre, a training centre and
efficacy study. This will establish whether administrative offices — each located
an experimental vaccine regimen at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
safely prevents HIV infection among
South African adults. The study, called Staffing in 2016: In 2016 PHRU remained
HVTN 702, involves a new version of the a growing research unit with more than
only HIV vaccine candidate ever shown 400 employees on staff. The PRHU team
to provide some protection against the is led by Dr Neil Martinson.
virus. HVTN 702 aims to enroll 5,400 men
and women, making it the largest and Funding in 2016:
most advanced HIV vaccine clinical We continued to collaborate with
trial to take place in South Africa. funders worldwide including NIH, US
The Soweto CTU sites will be enrolling Government’s CDC, the Global Fund
participants into this historic study. to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Aurum
Health Institute, WHRI, SAMRC, UKMRC,
Clinical research in 2016: PHRU Right to Care and SFH/PSI.
recruited or followed up participants
in approximately 45 active studies,
including clinical research sites in
Limpopo, North West and Free State
Provinces. These studies included a
diverse range of participants such
as pregnant woman, HIV-infected
children, HIV exposed uninfected
adolescents and adults – both HIV
infected and HIV seronegative.
Mentorships in 2016: In the year
under review, PHRU continued with
important mentorship and academic
research training. We had the following
mentorships:
• 5 PhD candidates
• 9 Masters students
• 4 NRF National Research
Foundation Interns
• 1 SHAPe Scholars
• 2 HPTN International Scholars
• We hosted five graduate students
from the John Hopkins University
Center for Global Health28 Major Research Units
Wits Clinical HIV Research Unit
& the Health Economics and
Epidemiology Research Office
The Wits Clinical HIV Research Unit (CHRU) and the Health Economics
and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) aim to deliver excellence
and quality clinical research, services and support. CHRU is based in
Johannesburg at the Helen Joseph Hospital and HE2RO’s headquarters
are in Parktown, Johannesburg. Satellite sites operate at the Sizwe
Hospital in Sandringham in Johannesburg and in Durban at the King
Dinuzulu Hospital Complex.
Who we are: The Clinical HIV Research We are now well-positioned to conduct
Unit (CHRU) is part of the University of more TB trials. Shorter TB treatment
the Witwatersrand’s Faculty of Health is a key aim and, during 2016, CHRU
Professor Ian Sanne
Sciences. embarked on two treatment-shortening
Division Head of CHRU and
studies, namely the A5349/TBTC study
HE2RO
As an internationally recognised 31 for drug-sensitive TB and the STREAM
CHRU: research and technical assistance 2 study, which is looking at optimising
Themba Lethu Wing unit, the CHRU delivers clinical, and shortening MDR treatment.
Helen Joseph Hospital epidemiologic and health economic
1 Perth Road research services. The unit also ensures Noteworthy is the NIX trial that was
Westdene that research information is invested at conducted at the Sizwe hospital. This
Johannesburg operational level for the prevention, study is exploring the use of a shortened
treatment and management of HIV oral treatment regimen for XDR TB.
HE2RO: and associated diseases. Preliminary results look promising for the
Unit 2 treatment of a disease with a very high
Empire Road Where we operate: CHRU is located at mortality rate.
Parktown the Themba Lethu Clinic in the Helen
Johannesburg Joseph Hospital. We are one of the Other trials included the REPRIEVE, A5288
Tel: +27 11 276 8800 largest HIV and TB clinics in South Africa. and MHAVE studies. The START study,
Email: info@chru.co.za originally planned to end in December
Web: www.chru.co.za Staffing in 2016: In the year under 2016 was extended for another year.
Web: www.heroza.org review, the CHRU expanded its team The last patient visit for the A5282 study
and employed more than 90 staff. was conducted in 2016.
Research in 2016: Staff continued to Strategy in 2016: The unit aligned itself
work on important studies initiated with the current international trend of
previously, including the A5338 study focusing on drug sensitive and drug
and several other Pharma trials. resistant TB trials.
During 2016, CHRU completed the Key developments in 2016: During the
A5290 study. Another achievement was year, we completed important building
the A5300 feasibility study, conducted renovations at our site, including a state
at CHRU. This vital study will pave the of the art air filter system for our new TB
way forward for the Phoenix Study, clinic.
which aims to look at prophylaxis for
MDR-TB in household contacts.Major Research Units 29
Future plans: The chemotherapy HE2RO 2016 synopsis: Significant records captured
infusion unit is currently being used for achievements were made during using TherapyEdge-HIV and 24 in-
the A5263 (Kaposi Sarcoma) study. the year under review, including the depth interviews with patients who
Going forward, this facility could be following: initiated ART between April 2004
used for monoclonal antibody infusion and March 2005. Final analysis
studies as more of these types of studies • In collaboration with the National and results will be disseminated in
are being planned internationally. Department of Health, the World 2017.
We successfully applied for two grants - Bank and Boston University, HE2RO • HE2RO published a chapter in
with the TB sequel consortium and with implemented a large evaluation of the 2015/16 South African Health
the PANACEA consortium respectively the National Adherence Guidelines Review discussing the barriers and
and are preparing for these studies to for Chronic Diseases in South Africa. facilitators South Africa faces on
begin in 2017. The TB study concerns • The study will assess the impact of its journey to achieving universal
pathogenesis and risk factors of long- a subset of national adherence access to sexual and reproductive
term sequelae of pulmonary TB defining guidelines for interventions on health services nationally.
individual outcomes and public health HIV patients’ outcomes at public • HE2RO presented results on the
impact. The PANACEA trial involves a sector clinics. The study will also impact of Xpert MTB/RIF testing on
STEP trial looking a novel new TB agents estimate costs of interventions treatment delays among persons
and treatment shortening regimens. and describe the cascade of care diagnosed with drug resistant TB
We will also be collaborating with the for TB, hypertension and diabetes at the Union World Conference on
Aurum institute in a TB Study looking in these state clinics. Lung Health in Liverpool.
at host directed therapies added to a • To this end, four field teams have • HE2RO received recognition for an
Rifabutin based TB treatment regimen. been established in Gauteng, abstract on poorer health-related
The site is also planning on starting a North West, Limpopo and KwaZulu- quality of life among patients
commercial study with long acting Anti- Natal to collect data from 24 sites. with drug-resistant TB. Tembeka
Retroviral agents. • The study uses a randomised Sineke was awarded ‘Best Oral
evaluation design to compare Presentation’ at the Public Health
Publications in 2016: CHRU actively health facilities where the Association of South Africa (PHASA)
published research in leading journals. interventions have been rolled out Conference in 2016.
CHRU and HE2RO staff published 51 with facilities where they have not. • HE2RO also represented the Wits
articles during 2016. • During 2016, 3324 patients were Health Consortium large research
enrolled to the HIV cohorts (96% entities on the FHS FRC.
Mentorships in 2016: The unit continued of study target) and a further 2997
to attract quality post graduate patients were enrolled to the TB,
students. In the year under review, three Hypertension, Diabetes cohort.
Masters students and five PhD students Information has been disseminated
continued with their degrees, with and shared with the Department of
ongoing supervision from senior staff. Health.
• In 2016, HE2RO completed data
Grants submitted and pending in 2016: collection and preliminary analysis
Grants relate to a variety of important of a mixed-methods study
research and service support. These conducted at an urban, public-
include clinical trials to address the sector HIV clinic in a tertiary
highest priorities in HIV/AIDS research, hospital in Johannes burg. This
scientific and laboratory management, analysis aimed describe 10-year
the delivery of technical assistance to treatment outcomes of patients
the South African Department of Health initiated at the start of South
for HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment Africa’s National ART programme
and research into, MDR-TB and XDR-TB in 2004.
and TB. • This included a 10-year outcomes
analysis of electronic medical30 Major Research Units
Wits Maternal, Adolescent and
Child Health Systems
The Wits Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health (MAtCH) Systems is
committed to supporting the implementation of sustainable public-
sector health services, with a focus on maternal, adolescent and child
health, HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care.
Who we are: Maternal, Adolescent and offices in Overport, Mayville and at the
Child Health (MatCH) Systems is a South KwaZulu-Natal Children’s Hospital.
African donor-funded organization We also have offices in Mtubatuba in
based in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Umkhanyakude and some of our teams
are based in the eThekwini district
We are a division of the Wits Health office, at eThekwini municipality offices
Dr Arthi Ramkissoon Consortium, with oversight by the and at the Provincial Department of
MSc (MedSc) PhD MBA School of Public Health. Health in Pietermaritzburg.
Divisional Head
MatCH has extensive experience in MatCH has project staff in Harry Gwala
Head Office Contact Details:
public health, primary healthcare and Nongoma.
145 Prince Street
and service delivery. We have a multi-
South Beach
disciplinary group of senior academic In 2016 we continued with our
Durban
staff, reflecting expertise in medical international expansion under the
KwaZulu-Natal
science, epidemiology, public health, EQUIP project, and had offices in Port
4091
child health, behavioural science, au Prince in Haiti, Accra in Ghana and
Tel: +27 31 350 4242
gender, HIV and TB. in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Email: info@match.org.za
Web: www.match.org.za
Maternal, new-born and child health EQUIP is a consortium of partners with
research, including HIV and infant extensive experience and technical
feeding, is a key focus area of our work, expertise providing comprehensive
led by Professor Jerry Coovadia, who is high-quality HIV service delivery,
the Director of Health Systems at MatCH. innovating new approaches to service
He has been at the forefront of this delivery, scaling viral load technology
field of work for many years. He is also and analysing cost and outcome data
actively involved in the development to optimize HIV programmes.
of WHO and National standards, and
the implementation in South Africa of Our approach: MatCH’s approach is to
breastfeeding policies, which have had support the South African Government
a positive impact on child health. to roll out national programmes,
including the National Core Quality
Where we operate: MatCH has a long Standards, the Global Plan of Action
history of working in KwaZulu-Natal on PMTCT, Primary Health Care Re-
to support public sector sexual and engineering strategy and community
reproductive health; maternal, child Caregiver programmes.
and adolescent health; and HIV and TB
services. MatCH implemented a WHO/South
African National Department of Health
Our geographic reach: In addition to Pregnancy Registry pilot project in May
our head office operations in Durban, 2013 and this remained an ongoing
South Africa, MatCH’s has satellite focus area in 2016.Major Research Units 31
The objectives of the project include medical male circumcision programme. KwaZulu-Natal, North West and Eastern
the following: MatCH started the programme with the Cape.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
• To collect information about in the province in 2010. MatCH has a Research activities in 2016: Numerous
maternal health and medicines contract to implement Medical Male research activities and positive
exposure during pregnancy Circumcision Services in four districts in outcomes were achieved in 2016,
KwaZulu-Natal. MatCH has circumcised including the following:
• To establish a national sentinel over 140,000 males since the start of the
surveillance system for major programme. • An evaluation of the MomConnect
birth defects and still births Project at 51 facilities in two districts
MatCH continued to conduct training • A pregnancy registry study to
• To routinely provide information on a wide range of HIV and sexual and prospectively collect information
and evidence to policy- reproductive health topics. Since 2009 about maternal health and
makers, health care providers we have trained over 15,000 healthcare medicines exposure during
and other stakeholders on the providers in KwaZulu-Natal. Key training pregnancy
association between maternal programmes have included HCT/PICT; • A study to establish a national
health indicators, antenatal care ARV treatment guidelines; NIMART, sentinel surveillance system for
indicators and the use of specific medical male circumcision, family major birth defects and still births
medicines during pregnancy. planning, male and female condom • Operations/Implementation
promotion and provision. Science research on HIV/TB
Staffing in 2016: By the end of the • Operations/Implementation
year under review, MatCH had a staff All our training materials are in line with Science research on Adolescents,
complement of 655 people, with 17 South African National and Provincial Girls & Young Women
staff actively involved in research. guidelines and policies and are planned • A review of routine data and
and scheduled with the Department of service delivery data for medical
Programmes in 2016: MatCH’s portfolio Health (DOH). male circumcision in four districts in
of HIV treatment and prevention KwaZulu-Natal
programmes continued to expand and In 2016 MatCH was successful in
2016 saw the extension of our PEPFAR bidding for a five-year Centre for Community training and service
grant, funded via USAID. This is being Disease Control grant for Programmatic in 2016: In the year under review,
used to strengthen the District Response Implementation and Technical MatCH provided technical assistance
for Better HIV/TB Patient Outcomes Assistance (TA) for HIV/AIDS and to National, Provincial and District
in the eThekwini and Umkhanyakude Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention, Care, and Departments of Health. These focused
districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Treatment Services throughout the mainly on improved HIV/TB and MCWH
Health System in South Africa. clinical outcomes.
MatCH’s adolescent, girls and young
women portfolio included DREAMS This is under the President’s Emergency We continued to participate in
funding in 2016 for facility level Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) of 2016. important forums such as the National
interventions in two high prevalence DOH Task Force for STI, HIV and AIDS
districts in KwaZulu-Natal. Under this five-year grant, MatCH Prevention, the National Health
supports community-based HIV testing Research Committee, WHO Strategic
The ELMA Philanthropies funded and evidence-based prevention and Technical Advisory Committee
Unfinished Business project in eThekwini programmes in the Harry Gwala, and the KZN Children’s Hospital Steering
and Umkhanyakude focused on eThekwini and Umgungundlovu districts Committee.
addressing the treatment needs of in KwaZulu-Natal.
adolescents and children is also on-
going. The grant also includes evaluation of the
implementation of community-based
In 2016 MatCH continued to play HIV care and treatment interventions in
an important role in KwaZulu-Natal’s three provinces in South Africa, namely32 Major Research Units
MRU (MatCH Research Unit)
MRU (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health Research Unit) aims
to answer priority questions that will translate into improving sexual
and reproductive health outcomes through expanding access to
appropriate and acceptable contraceptive, HIV prevention and
related health technologies and services.
Who we are: MRU is affiliated to the than providing them separately.
University of the Witwatersrand’s Faculty
of Health Sciences, the School of Clinical Other publications focused on
Medicine and to the Department of our core research areas including
Obstetrics and Gynaecology. In 2016 contraception, HIV prevention, safer
we were awarded Unit status. conception and other areas of sexual
and reproductive health.
Our mission: We aim to achieve the
Professor Jennifer Smit
following: Grant awards in 2016: In the year under
Executive Director MRU
• Conduct innovative research that review, MRU successfully applied for and
Head Office Contact Details: informs policy and programmes was awarded several grants through
MRU (MatCH Research Unit) • Conduct research that supports the collaborations and self-initiated grant
40 Dr. AB Xuma Street development of new technologies applications. One self-initiated grant
21st Floor, Suite 2117 on sexual and reproductive health, was awarded from over 800 applicants
Commercial City Building HIV and related diseases globally.
Durban • Engage the community in service
KwaZulu-Natal delivery and research We have recently learned of two
4000 successful NIH applications that were
MRU is based in Durban and our team submitted with collaborators in 2016.
Tel: +27 31 001 1941 consists of highly skilled research,
Email: jsmit@mru.ac.za clinical, laboratory, community, data New research scope in 2016: In 2016,
Web: www.mru.ac.za and administrative staff from a wide we moved into a new area of research
range of backgrounds including clinical, - Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
behavioural and social science. Prevention The first of these
groundbreaking studies At MRU Is being
Research publications in 2016: In 2016, carried out in collaboration with Harvard
MRU published 13 articles in peer- University and the Massachusetts
reviewed journals. Four of these were General Hospital in Boston. This five-year
from a recently completed sex worker NIH grant was awarded for the “PrEP
health service intervention project, Safer Conception for Women study”
called the “Diagonal Interventions to which will be offering PrEP as part of a
Fast Forward Enhanced Reproductive safer conception package.
Health” (DIFFER) project, funded by the
EU. A second study is being planned with
the Eastern Virginia Medical School
The project tested the hypothesis (EVMS)/ CONRAD, USA which will
that combining vertical Sexual and be focusing on different branding
Reproductive Health (SRH) interventions approaches to PrEP delivery.
with horizontal strengthening of health
systems for SRH, within existing health During 2016, our microbicide research
facilities, is synergistic, feasible, and likely trials continued at the MRU Edendale
to be more effective and cost-effective Research Site with the completion ofMajor Research Units 33
the Phase III Dapivirine Ring Microbicide strengthen the national FC program’s infected mothers. In this research
Trial -IPM 027. MRU started the IPM effectiveness and efficiency. we collaborated with HEARD at the
032, a Phase IIIb follow-on trial to IPM University of KwaZulu- Natal, as well as
027. This is designed as an open- label AIDS Conference 2016: MRU played with Harvard University
clinical trial to collect additional safety a high-profile role at the International
data and to establish adherence to AIDS conference held in Durban in July Our menstrual management
ring use. This study uses the Dapivirine 2016. Professor Smit was an invited oral programme conducted an
Vaginal Ring in healthy, HIV-negative speaker in a satellite session on hormonal acceptability study of menstrual cups
women who were enrolled in the Phase contraception and HIV, and Deputy to high risk women. We entered the
III ring trial IPM 027. Executive Director, Zonke Mabude planning phase of a new intervention
participated in the International which will introduce menstrual cups in
Complementary socio-behavioural Programme for Microbicides’ satellite up to 10 higher education institutions
data collection is also underway to session. in KwaZulu-Natal. This project is being
collect information around adherence funded by the DREAMS Innovation
in microbicide trials. We presented 11 posters and Challenge initiative.
contributed two papers to a special
Government initiatives in 2016: MRU edition of the African Journal of Training and capacity building in 2016:
continued to provide support to the Reproductive Health, which was MRU focused on capacity building and
Provincial and National Departments launched at this conference. We training of researchers locally, regionally
of Health (DoH) (SRH) in policy and disseminated a policy brief, on the and internationally during 2016.
programme issues in the area of Sexual introduction of the SILCS diaphragm
and Reproductive Health. In line with in South Africa, in collaboration with We are supervising four PhD candidates
this, Professor Smit and Dr Beksinska PATH, and hosted a stall promoting (one in Uganda), and one Masters study
provided editorial and technical support female condoms. This conference was being supervised by MRU researchers.
for the development of a KwaZulu-Natal also used as an opportunity by MRU
(KZN) DoH Contraception Counselling to network with established and new During 2016, MRU hosted students
Tool for Healthcare Providers. collaborators. from the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine (UK), from the
Professor Smit and Dr Beksinska led Pivotal research in 2016: MRU engaged University of British Columbia (Canada),
the contraception section of The in pivotal research conducted with from Berkley University (US), from the
Reproductive Health Chapter for vulnerable populations, including University of Washington (US), and from
the special edition of the national youth, sex workers and recreational the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South
yearly South African Publication: The ARV users. Africa.
District Health Barometer, submitted in
November 2016. A key focus was on areas such as
contraception, fertility choices for HIV
Research in 2016: In the year under positive and negative women and men
review, we continued research around (in collaboration with Harvard and the
testing the performance, integrity and Massachusetts General Hospital).
acceptability of new female condom We also conducted formative research
prototypes. to determine views and opinions of a
new device “the Smart Diaphragm”
The National SA Female Condom (FC) designed to detect early signs of
Evaluation project, funded by USAID, preterm birth (in collaboration with
completed data collection in 2016, and Perinatal Services at UCSFs Foetal
disseminations have been conducted Treatment Center).
nationally and in every province. The FC In our post-partum depression
project was a comprehensive mixed- programme we aim to decrease
method study to identify strategies to depression and increase adherence
enhance the FC’s acceptability, and to HIV and SRH care for HIV-34 Major Research Units
Wits Respiratory and Meningeal
Pathogens Research Unit
The Wits MRC Respiratory & Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
(RMPRU) aims to conduct epidemiological, clinical and basic science
research into respiratory and meningeal infections. The unit seeks to
improve the diagnosis, management and prevention of these diseases.
Who we are: The RMPRU is focused on Our mission: RMPRU conducts
research aimed at reducing morbidity epidemiological, clinical and
and mortality from common bacterial basic science research on vaccine
and respiratory viral pathogens. More preventable disease aimed at
specifically, we prioritize research on enhancing the health and survival of
vaccine preventable disease that African children.
are major contributors to under-5
Professor Shabir Madhi
childhood mortality. Furthermore, we Research in 2016: In the year under
Executive Director of the Wits
have established ourselves to being review, the Prof Madhi and his
MRC Respiratory & Meningeal
at the forefront of research aimed colleagues published 42 publications,
Pathogens Research Unit &
at vaccination of pregnant women, including multiple publications in the
DST/NRF SARCHI Chair: Vaccine
too protect the mother, her fetus and highest-ranking infectious diseases
Preventable Diseases
young infant from vaccine preventable journals. The Research Chair was
Head Office Contact Details: diseases. a senior author on many of these
Chris Hani Baragwanath publications and much of the research
Academic Hospital Global leadership: RMPRU is which was based on outputs of post-
Chris Hani Road internationally recognized for the role it graduate students under his supervision.
Soweto has played in the clinical development
2013 of live saving vaccines such as Rotavirus Vaccine Studies: The Unit,
Tel: +27 11 983 4283 / 4277 rotavirus vaccine and pneumococcal under Dr Michelle Groome, undertook
Email: madhis@rmpru.cco.za conjugate vaccine. Furthermore, the first study on a sub-unit rotavirus
Web: www.nicd.ac.za it has been at the fore of vaccine vaccine, which is being developed as
studies aimed at pregnant women, a possible improvement to the current
including reporting on the first placebo- live attenuated rotavirus vaccine,
controlled randomized trial of influenza the clinical development of which
vaccine in pregnant women It has also was spearheaded in Africa at
also undertaken the first studies of an RMPRU. These results were published
investigational multi-component Group in Lancet Infectious Diseases. Since the
B streptococcus conjugate vaccine introduction of rotavirus vaccine into
in pregnant women; a portfolio of the South African public immunization
research that is ongoing- including program, it has been estimated to
discovery research on other potential prevent 3000 fewer diarrhea related
GBS vaccine epitopes. This is pertinent deaths in South Africa each year, as
to Africa and South Africa, which well as approximately 39,000 fewer
has reported the highest incidence hospitalizations.
of invasive GBS disease globally. The
unit also does important work on Pneumococcal vaccine studies: The
vaccines and their impact on Vaccine Unit continues undertaking studies
Preventable Diseases (VPDs). on prevention of pneumococcal
disease through vaccination with the
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.You can also read
