CRO Services | Tropics Derma Research & Training Institute

Clinical Research Organisation

Dermatology clinical research, rooted in the tropics

Specialist CRO services for pharmaceutical and biotech partners seeking credible clinical research capacity across tropical and Sub-Saharan Africa.

What We Deliver

Core CRO capabilities

We provide specialist contract research services to pharma and biotech companies seeking credible, compliant, and deeply connected clinical research capacity in tropical Africa.

01

Patient Recruitment & Site Management

Access to large, diverse, and clinically underserved patient populations across Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa — including patients with chronic skin conditions, tropical dermatoses, and autoimmune presentations.

  • Protocol-aligned participant identification and screening
  • Informed consent process management (multilingual)
  • Site activation, monitoring, and close-out
  • Investigator and site staff GCP training
  • Patient retention and follow-up management
  • Regulatory submissions to local ethics committees
02

Data Collection & Management

Structured, auditable clinical data collection processes aligned with ICH E6 GCP standards. We ensure data integrity from point of collection through to sponsor delivery.

  • Case Report Form (CRF) design and completion
  • Electronic data capture (EDC) system support
  • Source data verification (SDV) and query resolution
  • Clinical data management planning
  • Adverse event recording and escalation
  • End-of-study data lock and transfer

Therapeutic Focus

Where our expertise is deepest

Our research and clinical experience is concentrated in dermatology and skin science — giving pharma partners specialist knowledge that generalist CROs cannot offer.

Tropical Dermatoses

Endemic skin conditions unique to tropical climates — including fungal infections, pigmentation disorders, and climate-related skin pathologies — where our research expertise is unparalleled.

Skin Aging in Tropical Populations

Ongoing longitudinal research into how tropical climates and environmental factors affect skin aging — a growing area of interest for dermatology-focused pharmaceutical development.

Why TDRTI

The case for partnering with us

We offer something no global CRO can replicate — genuine, longstanding presence in tropical Africa, with the scientific rigour pharma demands.

Unmatched population access

Our clinical network spans institutions, community health programmes, and government-affiliated facilities across tropical Africa — giving sponsors access to patient populations chronically underrepresented in global trials.

Deep dermatology specialisation

We are not a generalist CRO. Our entire research programme is centred on skin — tropical dermatoses, autoimmune skin conditions, and the unique dermatological profiles of patients in tropical climates.

15+ years of founder-led clinical investigation

TDRTI’s research programme is led by Dr. Edith Gibson, whose work spans over 15 years of clinical investigation and more than 100,000 analysed skin samples across multiple African regions.

Institutional credibility

Recognised partnerships with UNESCO, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation, Cameroon’s Ministry of Women Empowerment, and a formal partnership with Nigeria’s National Open University demonstrate our standing as a serious research institution.

GCP-compliant teams on the ground

Our investigators and site staff are trained to ICH E6 GCP standards with the people, processes, and systems to deliver to the quality expectations of global pharma partners.

Established institutional relationships

UNESCO Nigeria FMSTI MINPROFF MoEVT Cameroon NOUN Nigeria Community health networks Regional ethics committees

How We Work

From first contact to study delivery

01

Initial Consultation

We discuss your study protocol, patient population requirements, timelines, and regulatory context to assess fit and feasibility.

02

Feasibility & Proposal

We provide a detailed feasibility assessment, site identification, and a transparent project proposal including budget and timelines.

03

Contracting & Setup

We work through your vendor qualification process, execute the MSA and SOW, and complete ethics and regulatory submissions.

04

Study Execution

Our on-ground teams manage recruitment, site operations, data collection, and sponsor reporting throughout the study lifecycle.

Ready to discuss your next study?

We welcome conversations with pharmaceutical and biotech partners exploring African clinical research capacity.

Email Our Partnerships Team