Dr Lois Muraguri to lead GALVmed into next phase of innovation and regulatory harmonisation
Dr Lois Muraguri, a Kenyan and British national, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines (GALVmed), succeeding Dr Carolin Schumacher. Dr Muraguri’s appointment follows a rigorous and open recruitment process, affirming her as a leading candidate to lead the organisation from 1 October 2025. With a Law degree from Warwick University and a PhD from Queen Mary University of London specialising in intellectual property management and public-private partnerships, Dr Muraguri brings an extensive background in translating research into marketable, pro-poor innovations.
Currently serving as GALVmed’s Executive Director of Enabling Environment and Partner Engagement, Dr Muraguri has played a pivotal role in expanding the organisation’s outreach efforts. She heads a multidisciplinary team responsible for contracting, intellectual property management, communication, regulatory affairs, and policy advocacy. This role has seen her establish and nurture strategic partnerships with national, regional, and international stakeholders, particularly highlighted through her influential work on regulatory harmonisation across sub-Saharan Africa. Her leadership in this area has garnered wide recognition among policymakers, regulators, and livestock development organisations within the continent.
Dr Muraguri’s appointment marks a transition from Dr Carolin Schumacher, GALVmed’s longest-serving CEO in its 17-year history, who is retiring. Under Schumacher’s stewardship, GALVmed has solidified its role as a highly effective product development partnership, advancing access to quality veterinary products vital for small-scale livestock producers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. She departs leaving a robust, well-connected organisation with sustainable programmes primed for continued growth and impact.
GALVmed’s mission aligns closely with addressing the critical needs of millions of small-scale livestock farmers who form the backbone of agriculture in low- and middle-income countries. By improving the availability, awareness, and adoption of quality livestock veterinary medicines, the organisation directly supports healthier and more productive livestock sectors, which are essential for rural livelihoods and food security.
GALVmed’s strategic collaborations amplify its impact further. Notably, its partnership with the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) concentrates on animal health governance, vaccine development, and transboundary disease management, including efforts to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and to counter antimicrobial resistance. These initiatives underscore GALVmed’s commitment to regional cooperation to address livestock health challenges.
In a related initiative, GALVmed, together with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and the East African Community (EAC), has launched a three-year project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This project aims to strengthen veterinary regulatory frameworks across sub-Saharan Africa, simplifying the registration processes for veterinary medicines and vaccines. Dr Muraguri emphasised the importance of effective regulation as a cornerstone for ensuring farmers and service providers can access quality-assured products, enhancing confidence and adoption at the grassroots level.
GALVmed is also embracing technological innovation to support livestock health. In partnership with VetNOW, a digital health technology company, GALVmed is developing the ‘Connected Care’ Technology Programme. This initiative seeks to enhance communication between livestock farmers, veterinarians, and veterinary paraprofessionals through mobile platforms, improving access to veterinary care. The pilot will launch in Kenya in August 2024, with plans to scale across Africa, highlighting GALVmed’s forward-thinking approach to integrating technology with livestock health services.
Dr Muraguri’s expansive experience, coupled with GALVmed’s evolving strategic collaborations and innovative programmes, positions the organisation well to continue driving progress in veterinary medicine access and animal health governance, supporting sustainable livelihoods across Africa and South Asia.