History of DIG
The Drug Innovation Group (DIG) began as an academic research group led by Professor Richard Kwamla Amewu in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Ghana during the 2014/2015 academic year. In 2021, DIG transitioned into a fully-fledged drug discovery research group, marking a pivotal shift. This evolution enabled the team to go beyond academic exploration and actively contribute to global efforts addressing pressing global health challenges. In its early days, DIG faced significant hurdles. Recruiting qualified personnel with expertise in organic or medicinal chemistry was challenging because no institution in Ghana, including the University of Ghana, had an active focus on organic synthesis. The skillset in organic and medicinal chemistry was either limited or entirely absent in Ghana and much of sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, the group had to build its capacity in organic synthesis from scratch. Today, all of DIG chemists have been trained locally, showcasing the group’s commitment to capacity building. Another challenge was the lack of local research groups equipped to support biological assays. Initially, the group relied heavily on collaborators abroad, including institutions like Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) at the University of Cape Town. Inadequate infrastructure posed additional barriers. At the group’s inception, the necessary laboratories and critical equipment for organic synthesis were non-existent. For instance, the Department of Chemistry lacked essential tools like a Mass Spectrometer and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machines. Compounds synthesized by DIG had to be sent to partner laboratories for characterization. This significantly delayed progress, as confirming the accuracy and purity of intermediates or final compounds often required long waiting periods before biological testing could proceed. Among all the challenges DIG faced, perhaps the lion in the room was the procurement of reagents, consumables, and laboratory supplies. With no chemical vendors in Ghana or the surrounding region, all materials had to be imported from overseas. The procurement process was lengthy and bureaucratic, with some orders taking up to a year to arrive. Despite these challenges, DIG has grown exponentially over the years. From one man with a vision and a single student, the group now boasts an ultra-modern laboratory, over 16 researchers (all trained locally), and access to advanced instruments, including a Bruker 500 MHz NMR, SCIEX 3500 LC-MSMS, and Bruker D8 Quest Eco X-Ray Diffractometer. Additionally, the group is in the process of acquiring its own Benchtop NMR. DIG has established itself as a critical partner in the establishment of the Ghana Drug Discovery Hub (GDDH) and the Grand Challenges Africa Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA) programs, working alongside local and international collaborators. DIG's vision is to become a world-class leader in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery research. Our goal is to build a robust foundation for Africa-led drug innovation, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
