by Philip Mwakio

Kenya Medical Research Institute researcher Alexis Nzila has won the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) award.

Dr Nzila was recognised as an outstanding senior African scientist.

The award comes in the wake of renewed hope of a malaria vaccine discovery. Nzila received a certificate and Sh2.1 million (20,000 Euros) cash prize during the fifth EDCTP annual forum in Arusha, Tanzania.

In an interview with The Standard on Saturday, Nzila said: "The win is largely as a result of teamwork and support from fellow scientists and colleagues at Kemri."

He has been studying antifolate drugs, mainly antibiotics and cancer drugs.

Among his research interests is to look into the chemistry of cancer cells and use this information to better understand malaria.

"Dr Nzila’s work on developing anti-malaria drugs from existing cancer drugs is an approach which could bring alternative anti-malaria drugs to those who need them most," said Dr Robert Peshu, the director of Kemri’s Centre for Geographic Medicine Research in Kilifi.

"We are delighted that his work has received international recognition," said Prof Kevin Marsh of Kemri Wellcome Trust Research.