The Central Laboratory Animal Research Facility (CLARF) was established to meet Uganda’s critical need for pre-clinical testing of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. CLARF aims to evolve from a promising prototype into a leading research hub in Africa. By expanding its capabilities, CLARF will offer comprehensive contract services, including pre-industrial clinical trials, toxicology, forensic analysis, and cutting-edge animal models for biomedical research.
Revenue generation will stem from contract research services, the sale of specific pathogen-free laboratory animals, and training programs that develop expertise in industrial sciences. Collaborating with local and international partners, CLARF will support vaccine validation, therapeutic development, and forensic analysis crucial for public health and legal systems. CLARF’s competitive edge lies in integrating animal models with preclinical testing, addressing the growing demand for industrial scientists capable of translating scientific discoveries into market-ready products.
As a cornerstone in Uganda’s pathogen economy, CLARF will drive innovation, contributing to global health and biosecurity. The facility’s business strategy is designed to scale operations, ensuring sustainable revenue and positioning Uganda as a leader in preclinical biomedical research. By offering advanced facilities for testing vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, CLARF will reduce reliance on costly international services and accelerate product development. Workforce development initiatives at CLARF will build a skilled pipeline of industrial scientists, technologists, and technicians, vital for transforming scientific breakthroughs into economic growth through science, technology, and innovation (STI).
Our Foundational Pillars
Vision: To be the premier continental hub for sovereign premarket evidence, accelerating the arrival of life-saving bio-innovations from the lab to the lives they serve.
Mission: To deliver regulatory-grade testing, preclinical evidence, and specialized animal models through a multidisciplinary framework of quality assurance, workforce development, and strategic partnerships.
Goals
- Establish GLP-compliant pre-clinical testing capacity.
- Develop sustainable SPF breeding programs.
- Provide contract research services (CRO model).
- Train scientists, veterinarians, and laboratory technicians.
- Support commercialization of biomedical innovations.
- Strengthen Uganda’s biosecurity ecosystem.
What We Do: The CLARF Edge
We provide “design-to-dossier” support. Whether you are developing a new biologic or a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), we offer the evidence-based pathway to approval.
Pre-Industrial Clinical Trials: We translate discovery assets into clinical readiness through GLP-aligned studies and biostatistical rigor.
Veterinary Clinical Excellence: Comprehensive protocol design and safety surveillance for multi-site veterinary trials.
Advanced Animal Models: Production and management of transgenic and SPF models under the highest ethical and welfare standards.
Quality & Accreditation: Ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and GLP standards to provide globally recognized Certificates of Analysis (COA).
Sovereign Capacity: Through the MAGBBA platform, we train the next generation of scientists and build resilient Public-Private-Producer Partnerships (PPPP).
