IDRL is the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory: a Biosafety Level 2 research laboratory established in 2012 and operating from 8 Hood Road, Southerton, Harare. Its internal mission is to lead innovative infectious disease research, deliver quality laboratory results for clinical research and trials, and advance new knowledge that responds to Africa’s unique health challenges. IDRL also serves as the discovery laboratory for Mutala and a founding network member within the wider ACRN/Mutala clinical trial and research ecosystem.
Mission: To provide reliable, timely and high-quality laboratory services that support clinical trials, diagnostic testing and infectious disease research, anchored in a robust quality management system aligned with international standards.
Quality: ISO 15189:2022-aligned QMS, CAP self-inspection and accreditation pathway, controlled documentation, audit-ready workflows and traceability.
Role: Discovery laboratory for Mutala and founding network member as a clinical trial and research center within the ACRN/Mutala ecosystem.
Scope: Virology, molecular testing, immunology, chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, toxicology, microbiology, serology, sample processing and biobanking.
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Filter IDRL projects by status. Each card keeps the repository detail visible rather than compressing the science into generic marketing copy.
Biobanking, HLA typing and immunology assays linked to real-world HIV treatment outcomes and cohort evidence, supporting expanded immunogenetics capacity for HIV cure science.
ISO 15189:2022 alignment, CAP self-inspection readiness, CAP pathway activity, controlled documentation and sponsor-grade traceability.
HIV/HBV viral load, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, HPV, respiratory panels, PCR diagnostics, GeneXpert, Nanopore NGS sequencing and HIV drug resistance testing.
14-color Fortessa flow cytometry, BD Fortessa, ELISpot, CD4, PBMC isolation, PBMC processing, biobanking and cryopreservation.
The IDRL story includes adaptive transformation from a peanut-butter factory to a research laboratory with expanded infectious disease service lines.
Crelio LIMS end-to-end workflow for high-quality real-time oversight, audit trails, reporting and operational readiness.
Maternal HIV viral load, infant HIV PCR and safety laboratory testing for hematology, renal function and liver function.
Cultures, CSF, HIV serology, hepatitis serology, syphilis serology, ELISA infectious disease testing, chemistry, urinalysis and toxicology.
Support for 8,000+ participants, greater than 90% retention across major trials, 23 ZimCoVVAR sites and 7 active/upcoming studies.
HIV/HBV viral load, SARS-CoV-2 testing and surveillance, HPV testing and respiratory panels.
PCR diagnostics, Nanopore NGS sequencing, GeneXpert and HIV drug resistance testing.
14-color Fortessa flow cytometry, ELISpot assays, CD4 testing and HLA-linked immunogenomics.
PBMC isolation, PBMC processing, biobanking, cryopreservation and specimen repository workflows.
Chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, toxicology, renal function, liver function and safety laboratory testing.
Crelio LIMS, chain-of-custody, audit trails, result reporting and real-time trial oversight.
Repository materials name Herald Midzi, Vinie Kouamou, Takudzwa Magwaku and Marvellous Fende in relation to the IDRL laboratory story. Profiles can be expanded with approved biographies and photographs.
Leads laboratory execution, quality culture and operational readiness for clinical research programs.
Supports viral load, molecular diagnostics and assay strategy across infectious disease studies.
Coordinates day-to-day laboratory delivery, training, documentation and inspection readiness.
Supports QMS, LIMS adoption, controlled documents and continuous improvement cycles.
Develop translational protocols and publish findings across clinical and public health research.
Former trainees and collaborators contributing across Africa’s research ecosystem.
The internal materials available here did not include a verified DOI bibliography. The entries below are clearly marked placeholders for layout and search testing until approved publication records are supplied.
2020–2024: Scale and resilience across SARS-CoV-2 testing, ZIMCOVAR, PAIR cohort, Crypto-ART, sponsor collaborations and academic collaborations.
2025–2026: Audit-defensible operations, IQVIA Vendor Qualification audit closure, 7 CAPA workstreams closed 100% in 6 weeks, and IAVI GCLP and C114 GCP audit responses.
2026 onwards: CAP accreditation pathway, end-to-end Crelio LIMS, clinical services launch and expanded immunogenetics platform for HIV cure science.
Digital workflows strengthen turnaround time, traceability and reporting oversight.
IDRL prepares scope documentation for chemistry, hematology, urinalysis and related service lines.
A showcase on the future of medical science in Zimbabwe and the role of IDRL in clinical research.
IDRL offers sponsor-grade testing, quality-assured workflows and audit-ready reporting. All pricing is indicative — contact us for a formal quotation tailored to your study design, volume and timeline.
Choose the tier that best fits your study. All packages include chain-of-custody documentation and result reporting.
Indicative fees for stand-alone tests. Final pricing depends on volume, study protocol and contract terms.
IDRL accepts institutional purchase orders, wire transfers and grant-direct billing. Invoices are issued in USD. Volume-based agreements and study master service agreements are available for multi-visit trials.
Send a short concept note including your study protocol, expected participant numbers, assay panel requirements, visit schedule and reporting needs. We will provide a formal budget worksheet within 5 working days.
All billable tests are performed under IDRL's ISO 15189:2022-aligned QMS with full audit trail, Crelio LIMS documentation and sponsor-grade reporting. Results are not released without internal QC sign-off.
8 Hood Road, Southerton, Harare
Hours: Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:30
For partnerships, rotations and study support, send a short concept note with study aims, sample volume, assay needs, chain-of-custody requirements, cold-chain requirements, validated testing needs, reporting timelines and whether the work involves virology, molecular testing, immunology, sample processing, microbiology, serology, chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, toxicology or clinical trial endpoint support.
Ideal for early-career scientists interested in diagnostics, quality systems and data-rich clinical research.
Seeking proposals in virology, immunology, molecular diagnostics and implementation science.
This Policy was last reviewed and updated on 24 August 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory (IDRL) ("we", "us", "our") at www.idrllab.com collects, uses, shares and safeguards personal data when you interact with our services. We are committed to the principles and obligations under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] ("CDPA") and Statutory Instrument 155 of 2024 ("SI 155"), including lawfulness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality and accountability.
This Policy applies to all personal data processed by IDRL through any means, including diagnostic laboratory testing, clinical trial sample analysis, biospecimen management, viral sequencing, employment relationships, and website interactions. It covers data from:
IDRL processes the following sensitive data categories under Sections 11 and 12 of the CDPA, with written consent and/or under applicable exceptions (scientific research, public health, vital interests):
Children's data: Where diagnostic testing or clinical trials involve minors, processing is conducted per MRCZ-approved protocols with parental/guardian consent (Section 26, CDPA; SI 155, s.10(5)).
We do not sell personal data. All third parties receiving personal data must sign a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) including confidentiality, prohibition on secondary use, audit rights, breach notification, and return-or-destroy clauses (Section 18(5), CDPA; SI 155, s.10(4)(f)).
IDRL does not currently transfer personal data outside Zimbabwe. All data is processed and stored within Zimbabwe. Should cross-border transfers become necessary, they will be conducted in accordance with Sections 28 and 29 of the CDPA with prior authorisation from the Data Protection Authority.
All processors are contractually required to maintain appropriate security, process only as instructed, and return or destroy data upon contract termination.
IDRL implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal data (Section 18, CDPA; SI 155, s.16), including:
A data breach response plan is in place. Breaches are reported to POTRAZ within 24 hours (SI 155, s.17(1)) and affected data subjects notified within 72 hours where high risk exists (SI 155, s.17(3)).
Personal data is retained only as long as necessary, per our Data Retention Policy (POL-DPO-002) and the storage limitation principle (Section 7(1)(c), CDPA):
These periods may be extended under a legal hold. Upon expiry, data is securely destroyed (cross-cut shredding; cryptographic erasure; autoclaving for biospecimens). Destruction logs are maintained as permanent audit evidence.
Under the CDPA, you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@acrnhealth.com or +263783507641. We will acknowledge requests within 7 days and respond substantively within 30 days.
For privacy questions, concerns, or data subject requests:
Data Protection Officer: Tatenda Magetsi (DPO 000754)
General Enquiries: takudzwa.magwaku@acrnhealth.com | +263 77 762 8465
We may update this Policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated via our website or directly to affected individuals. The date above indicates when this Policy was last reviewed. This Policy is reviewed at least annually or upon changes to the CDPA, SI 155, POTRAZ guidance, or our processing activities.
This Policy is governed by the laws of Zimbabwe, principally the Constitution (Section 57), the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07], SI 155 of 2024, POTRAZ Guidelines. POPIA and GDPR serves as regional and international comparators.