Basecamp Research Partners with Cameroon to Share Benefits from Genetic Data Use in Landmark Agreement
Basecamp Research, a London-based biotech company specializing in AI-driven design of proteins and other biological systems, has entered into a groundbreaking access and benefit-sharing (ABS) partnership with the government of Cameroon. This agreement marks Cameroon as the first Central African nation to establish such a deal for digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources, setting a precedent ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) scheduled for October 2024 in Cali, Colombia.
The partnership exemplifies a new economic model where industries collaborate with governments to access DSI from genetic resources like DNA sequences of plants, animals, and microbes, while ensuring that the communities protecting these resources benefit from the revenues generated. Basecamp Research will provide training, data-sharing, molecular laboratory support, and research funding to Cameroonian scientists as part of the agreement. This capacity-building initiative is designed to enhance local expertise in biodiversity monitoring, management, and protection.
See also: Basecamp Research Introduces ZymCTRL: An Open-Source AI Tool for Enzyme Design
Under the terms of the partnership, four communities in Cameroon have agreed to allow the sampling of genetic materials within their areas. Basecamp Research will pay royalties when its AI models utilize the Cameroonian DSI to develop novel proteins for applications in healthcare or to innovate sustainable industrial practices. This approach aligns with Basecamp Research’s commitment to ethically sourcing all of its data and ensuring that benefits are shared with the landowners and communities involved.
Basecamp Research is partnering with AJESH, a non-profit organization in Cameroon focused on biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation. Together, they aim to foster equitable collaboration between local communities and scientific research activities, contributing to the preservation of Cameroon’s rich biodiversity.
Dr. Aurélie Taylor Patience Dingom, who spearheaded the establishment of Cameroon’s ABS legal framework, emphasized the significance of the agreement:
"Cameroon is proud to be a trailblazer with this partnership centered around the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI). It recognizes DSI as a crucial element in the development and the equitable sharing of financial benefits within the access and benefit-sharing framework."
Bupe Mwambingu, Basecamp Research’s Biodiversity Partnerships Manager, highlighted the collaborative nature of the partnership:
"This partnership is the result of nearly two years of listening to, and working with, the Cameroonian government, NGOs, and grassroots community members. It sets a new standard for promoting fair and ethical practices in the commercialization of genetic resources."
Basecamp Research has already distributed its first wave of royalties to 37 communities and organizations in 13 countries. These payments were derived from revenues generated through the use of its extensive biodiversity database, which supports projects ranging from enzyme design for plastic biodegradation to the development of environmentally friendly industrial processes.
As the company continues to expand its activities in Africa, its commitment to responsible business practices and environmental conservation is gaining international recognition. Earlier this year, Basecamp Research received the Access and Benefit-Sharing Distinction Award from Costa Rica’s National Commission for Biodiversity.
Topics: Bioeconomy & Society
