What benefit-sharing mechanisms exist?

Benefit-sharing includes: African ownership and control of all data, preferential access for African researchers, research infrastructure development on the continent, capacity building through training and workforce development, two-year publication embargo ensuring African investigators publish first, intellectual property ownership by sample providers for their own analyses, and requirement for pharma partners to focus on developing medicines and diagnostics that safely and effectively address African healthcare needs. Through this project African patients can benefit longer term from more effective diagnostics and treatments relevant to their genetic background. As part of the PAGRA/GenCoE collaboration, Pharma partners will provide additional support in the form of specific funds for benefit sharing as part of the agreement. These funds will be allocated for specific community needs and decided upon by the working group and the Joint Steering Committee.