The MAScIR Foundation, affiliated with the Moroccan Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), won the 2024 Galien Africa Award for Best Medical Technology on Friday in Dakar.
MAScIR’s medical biotechnology center is developing a cutting-edge platform for creating “Made in Morocco” diagnostic kits for various diseases.
The Foundation is promoting technological research in materials and nanomaterials, biotechnology, microelectronics, and life sciences as well as applied research and innovation to meet market needs.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye presented the award to Professor Hassan Sefrioui, Director and Executive Committee member of MAScIR, at the closing ceremony of the 7th Galien Africa Forum held from October 22-25.
Sefrioui told Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) that “the award acknowledges years of excellence and innovation in research and development at MAScIR, especially in diagnostics for prevalent diseases in Africa.”
Sefrioui, who also serves on the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group for Diagnostics, added that the recognition is the result of a project that began in 2010.
The professor highlighted the team’s success in developing diagnostic kits for conditions like leukemia, breast cancer, hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and COVID-19. In collaboration with Africa CDC, the kits have been distributed in Morocco, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Rwanda.
In September 2024, the Mpox virus diagnostic kit developed by UM6P-MAScIR received validation from the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa, Congo, and was registered with Morocco’s Directorate of Medicines and Pharmacy.
YLabs’s Cyber Rwanda project was also recognized for Best Digital Solution.
The 7th Galien Africa Forum, held under the theme “Health and Community Actions Amid Climate and Environmental Crises in Africa,” supports research and sustainable development through shared experiences to address major public health challenges.