The exclusion of African genomic data in medical research creates gaps in disease detection, management and treatment development. Accra-based Revna Biosciences offers genomic research and diagnostic services for cancer, malaria, diabetes, tuberculosis, heart ailments and other conditions. The four-year-old company got its first equity check in 2024 from Nigeria-based Aruwa Capital, which invested because of its “locally relevant, globally competitive” medical solutions.
The company has now secured growth capital from a local investment fund, Mirepa Capital. Mirepa invests in growing Ghanaian businesses via a local currency fund it closed with backing from local institutional investors (see, “Tapping local asset owners to finance growing businesses in Africa“).
Its investment will help Revna invest in laboratory equipment and automation (see, “More of the right kind of capital for growth firms in Africa“).
International partnerships
Revna has a partnership with the global pharmaceuticals company AstraZeneca to offer biomarker testing in Ghana for lung cancer. It also works with Singapore-based biotech NalaGenetics on DNA tests tailored to Africans.
Another Ghana-based cancer research and diagnostics company Yemaachi Biotechis backed by Lagos-based V8 Capital, LifeLine Family Heritage Fund, Y Combinator, Tencent, VestedWorld and others. Nigeria-based 54Gene had raised $45 million before shutting down in 2023.
