EMPOWERING INNOVATION IN LIFE SCIENCES AND RESEARCH
In May 2025, Katchey Company Limited, in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific convened a transformative seminar themed “Bridging the Gap Between Life Sciences Teaching, Research, and Real-Life Application.” The event brought together leading minds in medicine, diagnostics, and scientific innovation to address one central issue: how to build sustainable, locally-driven solutions for life sciences in Nigeria.
The seminar began with a welcome address by Dr. (Mrs.) Kate Isa, CEO of The Katchey Group, who delivered a compelling message on the urgent need to build local capacity. She emphasized that with the right infrastructure and commitment, Nigeria can produce trusted scientific results without outsourcing critical samples or analysis abroad. “The solutions we need,” she said, “are within our reach.”
The event featured high-level panel discussions with thought leaders including:
- Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, CEO/Co-Founder of Marcelle Ruth Cancer Center
- Prof. Rosemary Audu, Deputy Director General at NIMR
- Prof. Sunday Omilabu, Professor of Medical Virology at CMUL
- Dr. Bamidele Mutiu, Director of the Lagos State Biobank
Together, they addressed key gaps between academic training, scientific research, and real-world application calling for stronger collaboration between institutions, government, and private sector actors.
Speaking on behalf of Thermo Fisher, Mouhcine Messaoudi, Distributor Manager for North Africa, highlighted the company’s commitment to advancing science across Africa. He stressed the importance of local access to innovative technologies, sustainable partnerships, and continued investment in human capital.
Participants were also introduced to Thermo Fisher’s wide-ranging solutions in molecular diagnostics, genomics, and laboratory automation—tools that are increasingly vital in diagnostics, surveillance, and academic research.
The seminar concluded with a tour of Katchey Laboratories, an ANAB-accredited complex showcasing what’s possible when modern equipment, technical expertise, and a commitment to excellence come together in a local context.
As conversations around scientific self-reliance continue to grow, this seminar served as a timely reminder that Nigeria has the talent, ambition, and partnerships to transform its life sciences landscape. By creating platforms for dialogue and knowledge-sharing, and by investing in infrastructure and access, Katchey and Thermo Fisher Scientific are helping to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient scientific future.
This event may have lasted just a day, but its impact will continue to ripple through research labs, classrooms, and healthcare institutions across the country.