One Purpose. Many Disciplines. Better Medicines. At the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), innovation happens where minds and disciplines converge. Since its establishment in 2007, WADDP has produced over 450 peer-reviewed publications, built Africa’s largest patent portfolio in advanced drug delivery (52 patents), and trained more than 130 postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have received prestigious national and international awards.

The multidisciplinary team integrates expertise in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biomaterials, engineering, biology, and clinical translation to develop advanced therapeutic technologies that address Africa’s and the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Home to a DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair, four NRF-rated researchers, and internationally recognised scientific leaders, WADDP has strengthened South Africa’s global research standing through high-impact innovation, strategic international collaborations, technology translation, and the development of the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists dedicated to improving health outcomes. WADDP is led by Prof Yahya E. Choonara and consists of Prof Mershen Govender, Dr Gillian Mahumane, Prof Pradeep Kumar, Dr Hillary Mndlovu, Dr Poornima Ramburrn, Prof Lisa C. du Toit and Prof Thashree Marimuthu.

The team’s achievements have translated into measurable societal and economic benefits, reinforcing their position as a leading research enterprise within South Africa and internationally. Their work reflects strong research leadership, academic distinction, and meaningful contributions to advancing knowledge and addressing societal challenges through pharmaceutical and health-related innovation. Overall, the team exemplifies the qualities of a globally competitive research group that combines scientific excellence with innovation, capacity building, translation of research into practice, and substantial societal impact.