The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) is considering a strategic research collaboration with Godoye Enterprises, the Nigerian representative of United States-based Micro-Tracers Inc., to advance the clinical evaluation of an innovative technology designed to combat counterfeit medicines.
The discussions took place during a meeting at the Institute’s Conference Room in Lagos, where the Director-General of NIMR, Professor John Oladapo Obafunwa, led a team of researchers in deliberations with representatives of the company. The meeting followed the successful completion of preclinical animal studies on the technology.
Known as SECURtracers, the technology enables pharmaceutical manufacturers to authenticate medicines by embedding microscopic food-grade tracers into tablets and capsules. The tracers can later be identified through a simple verification process, providing a practical tool for detecting counterfeit medicines in the supply chain.
The Managing Partner, Godoye/Micro-Tracers, Dr. G.O Oyediji explained that the technology has already been validated for safety in animal studies and that the results have been submitted to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Presenting the technology, he stated that SECURtracers are manufactured from materials recognised as safe for human consumption and can be incorporated into tablets, capsules and pills without affecting the quality of the medicines. The tracers can be recovered after the tablet is dissolved and authenticated using magnetic separation and ultraviolet light.
He disclosed that NIMR was selected as its preferred research partner because of the Institute’s strong scientific reputation, extensive research experience and credibility with national and international regulatory bodies.
During the technical session, NIMR scientists discussed issues relating to standardising the recovery process, study design and quality assurance for future clinical investigations.
Professor Obafunwa emphasised the importance of consistency in the recovery methodology, while other researchers recommended clearly defined operating procedures to ensure reproducible results.
The meeting also highlighted the need to involve a Contract Research Organisation (CRO) to support regulatory documentation, ethical approvals and clinical trial management. It was agreed that NIMR would develop a proposal and implementation timeline for the proposed clinical study for further consideration.
The collaboration has since advanced with a tripartite meeting involving NIMR, Godoye Enterprises and Xcene Research, a Nigerian Contract Research Organisation (CRO) experienced in conducting clinical studies.
The meeting, held on Thursday, 23 July 2026, identified key next steps, including the preparation of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), development of the clinical study protocol, and plans for a follow-up meeting with Micro-Tracers Inc., the sponsor of the proposed study.
If successfully developed and validated, the SECURtracers technology could provide pharmaceutical manufacturers with an additional tool for protecting the integrity of medicines, strengthening Nigeria’s fight against counterfeit drugs and enhancing public confidence in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
