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Sorika Van Niekerk

Executive Director, Cytespace Africa Laboratories

Sorika joined the Clinical Research Industry in 1999 and her expertise covers all therapeutic areas with a specific focus on anti-infective diseases. Whilst being Executive Director Clinical operations she was the main driver behind developing and implementing a strategy to expand Clinical Operations to the rest of Africa. The outcome of this strategy was the opening of office in both East and West Africa. She has a passion for development of people and as such she took responsibility for development of an apprenticeship within the South African context with the aim to increase the availability of well –trained individuals within the clinical trial industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.

She participates as a member on various Industry led initiatives / committees such as the South African Clinical Research Association, Industry Clinical Trial Focus Group comprising of CRO, Pharma and Site representatives, Department of Health Import /export permit committee etc. She also acts as a mentor and promoter of post graduate students specific to the field of research at various Academic institutions.

In 2012 she moved into the role of Senior Director Laboratory Operations & General Manager, for Sub-Saharan Africa with a special interest and focused strategy to increase the infectious disease footprint for the laboratory and establish the laboratory as a Centre of Excellence for Infectious diseases within the region. Sorika continues to focus on the development and expansion of clinical trial & laboratory infrastructures in Sub Saharan Africa.

Gillian Corken

CEO, Cytespace Africa Laboratories

Gillian obtained the degree MPharm (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria , South Africa in 1989 majoring in clinical pharmacy. She also has a bachelors degree in Pharmacy from Rhodes University, South Africa and completed the INSEAD , International Executives Programme (IEP) in France and Singapore in 2003.

Her last position in the formal workplace was as CEO for Africa of the US based company Quintiles Transnational, she was/is based in Pretoria from 2004-2012, when she took early retirement to pursue her passion for Africa and its people .To be in a position to contribute as a healthcare professional to this Sub Saharan region and other emerging markets.

Gillian was born in Zimbabwe and started her professional career in South Africa in 1985,with a French based pharmaceutical company, moving up within the company to hold various senior positions.

In 1990 she was a co-founder of Clindepharm International Pty Ltd, the first clinical contract research organization (CRO) in South Africa. This company was acquired by Quintiles Transnational Inc., a USA based company, she held various senior positions in this company in the US and Brazil. Gillian was also a board member for the Quintiles Africa, Asia and Australia (AAA) region and the Quintiles Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

She also co-founded two natural therapy companies Phytotherapy Pty Ltd and Phytoderm cc.

She has initiated various community based programmes in Brazil and South Africa which have enabled young disadvantaged youth to enter the workplace.

In November 2012 Gillian joined Cytespace Africa, a clinical trials investigational site solutions organization
Offering efficiencies and productivity solutions to recruit patients into clinical trials in Asia and Africa as well as capacity building and skills transfers at clinical sites.
In 2013 Aquipharma acquired Triclinium Product Development Pty Ltd and Gillian was the Chairman of the Board of Directors until the company was sold to a South African Enterprise in 2017.

She is an International Council member for Accordia.com promoting clinical research in Africa.

Oppel BW Greeff

Chairman, Cytespace Africa Laboratories

Prof Greeff holds a Batchelors degree in Medicine and Surgery MBChB (Pret); Post graduate qualifications in Primary Health Care, FCFP (SA); MPharmMed (Pret); Pharmaceutical Medicine FFPM (Royal Colleges of Physicians (UK)) and a MD (Psychiatry) (KZN).

Oppel was involved in clinical research in the Pharma Industry for 13 years and was professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the University of Pretoria from 1985 to 1995. He started the contract research industry (CRO) in SA by founding Clindepharm International in 1990, which he sold to Quintiles Transnational Corporation in August 1997 and continued his employment at Quintiles.

In 2002 he was appointed CEO of Early Development & Laboratory Services worldwide for Quintiles and located to the USA and in the same year as President: Global Product Development Services (PDS) and became a member of the Executive Committee of Quintiles.

He had > 26,000 people in 57 countries reporting to him, doing contract clinical research on new drugs. Oppel also chaired the Asia-Pacific Management Board of Quintiles TRN from 2005 to 2013.

In August 2008 Prof Greeff was appointed professor and head of the department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria and relocated back to South Africa. During his tenure he built the department to the biggest in SA, with a post-graduate component of 83 students and started various new post-graduate courses with practical market application. Prof Greeff retired as Head of Department in 2016 and still lectures at the University.

In 2016 Oppel founded Medwell SA, the first national home health care company in SA and is currently the CEO. Medwell manages and operates 8 frail care units in retirement villages and employs > 1000 carers and registered sisters and social workers.

Prof Greeff serves on the board of 18 companies in the health care industry in SA, the USA and India. He serves on Scientific Advisory Boards and is invested in various biotech start-ups and companies globally in health care, focussing on drug and device development.