Center of Excellence ยท Oncology

Accelerating Oncology Clinical Research Across Africa

A collaborative network of leading cancer centers, investigators, and research institutions supporting Phase I to IV oncology clinical trials, under one quality system and one point of accountability.

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ICH GCP compliantPhase I to IV capabilityMulti-country executionCentral quality oversight
Coordinated oncology research network across Africa
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The Oncology Center of Excellence

One Network. One Standard. One Accountable Partner.

Africa's cancer burden is rising faster than the research infrastructure needed to address it. Capability exists, but it is fragmented, unevenly documented, and difficult for a global sponsor to access at scale. The Center resolves that fragmentation.

One network

Qualified cancer centers, investigators, and laboratories across the continent.

One standard

ICH GCP-aligned quality management with central oversight and inspection readiness.

One accountable partner

A single commercial and operational relationship from feasibility to close-out.

Why Oncology

Meeting Africa's Growing Cancer Burden Through Collaborative Research

Cancer is one of Africa's fastest-growing health challenges, with more than 1.18 million new cases and over 760,000 deaths each year. The continent is projected to see one of the largest increases in cancer incidence worldwide by 2050.

Yet African patients remain substantially under-represented in oncology research. That gap limits the evidence base for populations carrying a rising share of the global burden, and delays access to innovative therapies. The Center addresses both problems at once.

1.18M+Annual new cases1
760K+Annual deaths1
2.6M+5-year prevalence1
54Countries in scope
I to IVTrial phases supported
GCPICH-aligned quality system

1 Source: GLOBOCAN / IARC. Confirm edition and year before publication.

Therapeutic Focus Areas

Where the Center Focuses

Focus areas are reviewed annually by the Oncology Scientific Advisory Group and reflect demonstrable network capability.

Breast cancer
Lung cancer
Cervical cancer
Prostate cancer
Colorectal cancer
Liver cancer
Hematologic malignancies
Pediatric oncology
Precision oncology
Immuno-oncology
Cell and gene therapy
Supportive and palliative care

Clinical Research Capabilities

How the Center Delivers

Clinical Development

  • Phase I to IV trials
  • First-in-human studies
  • Early phase oncology
  • Adaptive designs
  • Decentralized elements

Medical Specialties

  • Medical oncology
  • Surgical oncology
  • Radiation oncology
  • Pediatric oncology
  • Hematology

Laboratory Science

  • Molecular pathology
  • Genomics
  • Biomarkers
  • Companion diagnostics
  • Biobanking

Clinical Operations

  • Site management
  • Project management
  • Monitoring
  • Data management
  • Biostatistics and medical writing

Quality and Compliance

  • Regulatory affairs
  • Ethics support
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Quality assurance
  • Inspection readiness

Innovation

  • AI-enabled recruitment
  • Digital pathology
  • Precision medicine
  • Real-world evidence
  • Patient registries

The Oncology Research Network

Building Africa's Leading Oncology Research Ecosystem

The Center brings together a growing network of carefully qualified oncology institutions, investigators, and laboratories across Africa. Centralized governance, standardized quality systems, and coordinated operational support enable sponsors to run efficient, high-quality trials across multiple countries.

Participation is earned, not permanent. Organizations are admitted through formal qualification and reviewed annually against performance and quality standards.

Network composition is held as a confidential commercial asset. Individual institutions may be identified to a sponsor under confidentiality during feasibility.

  • Sponsor-ready oncology sites qualified against network standards
  • Experienced investigators across medical, surgical, radiation, pediatric, and hematologic oncology
  • Molecular pathology, biomarker, genomic, and precision medicine capability
  • Phase I to IV infrastructure with standardized operational processes
  • Central quality oversight and inspection readiness
  • Coordinated multi-country delivery through one operational framework

What GLS Provides

The Services Behind the Network

Coordination is the outcome, not the service. GLS operates the oncology network as a working platform.

Governance and qualification

Four standing bodies with defined decision rights, and formal qualification of cancer centers and investigators against one standard, reviewed annually.

Quality management and monitoring

A single ICH GCP-aligned quality system: SOPs, training, deviations and CAPA, audit, and continuous inspection readiness.

Harmonization

One protocol interpretation, one set of SOPs, one training standard, and one data model across countries and institutions.

Feasibility, contracts, and budgets

Centralized oncology feasibility, one master contract, and budgets negotiated once rather than country by country.

Regulatory, ethics, and safety

Country-by-country submissions coordinated centrally, with designated medical monitoring and defined safety escalation.

Laboratory, data, and capacity

Molecular pathology, genomics, and biobanking coordinated with the protocol; data integrity and privacy standards; and investigator development.

Governance and Quality

How the Network Is Governed

Every institution and investigator operates under a common governance framework. Sites are qualified before admission, monitored during delivery, and reviewed annually. Quality management is centralized rather than delegated, so standards do not vary by country or site.

Executive Steering Committee

Ultimate decision authority. Owns strategy, risk appetite, network expansion, and escalations.

Quarterly

Oncology Scientific Advisory Group

Independent scientific counsel: therapeutic strategy, focus areas, feasibility standards, and scientific integrity.

Quarterly

Network Operations Committee

Operational delivery: site qualification decisions, feasibility, and performance management.

Monthly

Quality and Compliance Committee

Quality system ownership, audit program, deviations and CAPA, and inspection readiness.

Monthly

How institutions are qualified

STAGE 1

Expression of interest

Institutions and investigators apply through the qualification process.

STAGE 2

Qualification assessment

Structured assessment of expertise, trial history, compliance, and infrastructure.

STAGE 3

Quality clearance

Site qualification visit, SOP and pharmacy review, and data-integrity check.

STAGE 4

Admission

Contracting, onboarding, and training completion.

ONGOING

Annual review

Performance and compliance review, with remediation, suspension, or withdrawal where standards are not met.

Why Sponsors Partner with GLS

Access Through a Single Partner

One commercial and operational relationship gives sponsors coordinated access to the whole network. Site identification, feasibility, regulatory coordination, quality oversight, contracting, and execution all run through a single partner.

  • Curated site and investigator selection matched to the protocol
  • Centralized feasibility, budgeting, and contracting
  • Harmonized quality management and operational oversight
  • Regulatory and ethics coordination across participating countries
  • Independent scientific input through the Advisory Group
  • A single point of accountability across the study lifecycle

One network

Qualified cancer centers, investigators, and laboratories across the continent.

One standard

ICH GCP-aligned quality management with central oversight and inspection readiness.

One accountable partner

A single commercial and operational relationship from feasibility to close-out.

Become Part of the Network

An Open Partnership Platform

The Center expands through partnership with qualified oncology institutions, investigators, laboratories, academic medical centers, and industry collaborators. Interested organizations are invited to enter the GLS qualification process.

Apply to JoinPartner with GLSContact GLS

Advancing Oncology Innovation Together

Whether you are developing oncology therapeutics, biologics, cell and gene therapies, diagnostics, or medical devices, the Center provides a governed, collaborative platform to accelerate clinical development across Africa.

Request a Feasibility AssessmentBecome a Network Partner