PBR Life Sciences aims to expand growth of AI-Powered Healthcare platforms
Nigerian health-tech startup, PBR Life Sciences, has successfully raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its operations in the African continent. Investors like Launch Africa, Kaleo Ventures, Octerra Capiral, Microtraction, and ARM Labs all participated in the funding, a phenomenon that revealed growing investor confidence in the region’s growing health-tech sector.
PBR came into existence when pharmacist and MBA holder, Ayodeji Alaran, founded the healthcare startup in 2015. PBR was initially focused on addressing healthcare data gaps in Nigeria. However in 2021, Alaran, having taken roles at pharmaceutical powerhouses like GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca, steered the company towards 2021 toward big data solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa after identifying significant challenges in healthcare data accessibility.
PBR Life Sciences boasts of being the first firm in the region to establish an holistic and multifaceted healthcare data platform in form of “Versus”, its flagship solution that leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze data collected from retail pharmacies. The platform provides pharmaceutical companies with critical insights into product performance, market share, and competitor activity. This has enabled more informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.
Apart from enhancing operational efficiencies, Versus promotes inclusivity in clinical trials through prioritizing underrepresented patient populations. This approach addresses a long-standing challenge in global healthcare and aligns with broader efforts to improve equitable access to medical innovations.
With a track record of 1,000 pharmacies in Nigeria, PBR Life Sciences has already established itself as a leader in healthcare analytics within its home market. The company processes millions of data points, creating actionable insights for stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. It has now set its sights on Ghana and Kenya, aiming to replicate its success in these new markets where healthcare systems face similar data challenges.
The capital injection will support the startup’s expansion into Ghana and Kenya, building on its existing operations in Nigeria. PBR’s growth trajectory was significantly bolstered last year when it joined the Techstars Lagos accelerator program. As part of the cohort, the company received $120,000 in funding and gained access to a robust network of mentors and investors.
“This investment strengthens our ability to focus on profitability while extending our reach in Africa and beyond,” said Alaran, CEO of PBR Life Sciences.
Uwem Uwemakpan, Head of Investments at Launch Africa, praised PBR’s innovative approach to addressing Africa’s healthcare challenges. “PBR is set to be a key player in transforming healthcare delivery across the continent,” he noted.
Ashim Egunjobi, Managing Partner at Octerra Capital, echoed similar sentiments. “We believe in PBR’s tremendous potential to reshape access to health data across Africa, and we’re excited to support them on this promising journey,” he said.
The expansion comes as Africa grapples with increasingly complex health challenges, from disease outbreaks to chronic conditions, which demand more sophisticated, data-driven solutions. PBR Life Sciences is well-positioned to address these needs, with its AI-powered platform offering a scalable model for modernizing healthcare delivery across the continent.
