PBR Life Sciences, a Nigerian healthtech startup specializing in anonymized healthcare big data, has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its operations across Africa. The funding round saw participation from Launch Africa, Microtraction, Kaleo Ventures, Octerra Capital, and ARM Labs, highlighting growing investor confidence in the region’s burgeoning healthtech sector.
The capital injection will support the startup’s expansion into Ghana and Kenya, building on its existing operations in Nigeria. Founded in 2015 by pharmacist and MBA holder Ayodeji Alaran, PBR initially focused on addressing healthcare data gaps in Nigeria. Alaran, whose professional background includes roles at pharmaceutical giants GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca, pivoted the company in 2021 toward big data solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa after identifying significant challenges in healthcare data accessibility.
“This investment strengthens our ability to focus on profitability while extending our reach in Africa and beyond,” said Alaran, CEO of PBR Life Sciences.
PBR Life Sciences claims to be the first in the region to introduce a multi-variate, multi-channel healthcare data platform. Its flagship solution, “Versus,” 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, enabling more informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.
In addition to enhancing operational efficiencies, PBR’s platform promotes inclusivity in clinical trials by ensuring underrepresented patient populations are considered. This approach addresses a long-standing challenge in global healthcare and aligns with broader efforts to improve equitable access to medical innovations.t
Having targeted 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. With its sights set on Ghana and Kenya, the startup aims to replicate its success in these new markets where healthcare systems face similar data challenges.
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 support has been instrumental in sharpening PBR’s strategic focus and scaling its operations.
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, emphasizing the startup’s strong founding team and the vast market opportunity it is poised to capture.
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.
As the demand for healthcare innovation grows, PBR’s ambitious plans to integrate advanced analytics into Africa’s healthcare infrastructure underscore its potential to redefine how the sector approaches decision-making, patient care, and clinical research. This latest funding round marks a significant step forward in its mission to leverage technology for transformative change.