Kisumu, Kenya — September 10, 2025. The Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI) is proud to announce that it has been officially registered as a research institution by the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI). The registration, granted on September 9, 2025, under certificate number NACOSTI/2025/09/036, marks a significant milestone in VIBRI’s journey to transform Africa’s health research ecosystem.

This recognition highlights VIBRI’s dedication to advancing development and delivering innovative vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, and medical devices that address Africa’s most urgent health issues, including infectious diseases, emerging epidemics, and non-communicable diseases.

As a non-profit, Africa-focused research institute based in Kenya, VIBRI’s mission is to promote high-quality, impactful biomedical research while enhancing health systems and scientific capacity across the African continent. The institute priority areas include:

• Clinical Trials (Phase Ib–IV and Bioequivalent studies): Partnering with global sponsors to design and execute trials for vaccines, therapeutics, and devices.
• Population & Implementation Science: Generating real-world evidence to improve health policies and care delivery.
• Data Science & Digital Health: Harnessing AI and advanced analytics to accelerate discoveries and enhance decision-making.
• Capacity Building: Training African scientists, clinicians, and research leaders to strengthen regional research governance and compliance.

Through its network of clinical research sites across Africa, VIBRI facilitates faster regulatory approvals, streamlined trial execution, and rapid participant recruitment, offering unique advantages to pharmaceutical companies, global health agencies, and academic collaborators seeking to secure the registration of clinical products more quickly.

“This official registration by NACOSTI reinforces our vision to position VIBRI as a premier continental leader in biomedical innovation,” said Dr. Lucas Tina, Chairman of the Board, VIBRI.

“As we strengthen Africa’s role in global health R&D, VIBRI aims to ensure that scientific discoveries translate into accessible, affordable, and scalable health solutions for the communities we serve. We are proud of this milestone and are grateful to NACOSTI for this registration” said Dr. Diana Odhiambo, Chief Executive Officer, VIBRI

About Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI)

The Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI) is a Kenya-based, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing biomedical research, accelerating innovations in vaccines, drugs, and devices, and strengthening Africa’s scientific capacity. Through strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and governments, VIBRI drives research that improves health outcomes in Africa and around the world.

Media Contact:

Julie Rose Alaro

Administrative Assistant        
Email: info@vibriafrica.org
Tel: +254 (0) 720 597 654

Website: https://vibriafrica.org

Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI) Board of Directors have appointed Dr. Irene Diana Odhiambo to serve as Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Odhiambo, who holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Antwerp, Belgium, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree from the University of Nairobi. Dr. Odhiambo has over 14 years’ experience working in both the public and private health sectors in Kenya.  Prior to her appointment, Dr. Odhiambo has been a Clinical Investigator at Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI).  Before joining VIBRI, Dr. Odhiambo worked with PATH Kenya as Technical Service Delivery Advisor, HIV/TB-Nyanza.  Prior to that, she was a Medical Officer of Health/County Health Management Lead in Migori County under the Ministry of Health, Kenya.

Victoria Biomedical Research Institute (VIBRI) is a non-profit providing pharmaceutical, academic research, and non-profit organizations with a network of clinical research sites and expertise focusing on accelerating transformative therapeutics, vaccines, and devices research for major global health diseases in Kenya and the East/Central Africa region.