Before joining Pharmalys, my career was focused on the management of information systems. I began in the financial sector as IT Manager for a financial intermediation company, where I was responsible for building and managing its infrastructure in West Africa. Later, I joined an IT services company, supporting client IT requests and user support. I also completed a Master’s degree in Security of Information Systems. Cybersecurity quickly became the field I felt most interested in, both for its challenges and for its growing importance worldwide. My last position before joining Pharmalys was Information Security Manager which was very challenging and full of positive experiences.
I joined Pharmalys as Software Manager for the PACE programme. My first major assignment was to select a provider and implement a Learning Management System for the pilot of PACE. The timeframe was tight, but within a month I had completed the provider selection and implementation, enabling all courses to run smoothly and be recorded in the cloud. After the pilot, I continued in the same role but took responsibility for Pharmalys’ Training Management System, launched in 2021. I oversaw its implementation milestones, adjusted functionalities to meet Pharmalys’ needs, coordinated testing with Pharmalys’ Business Operations team, and guided the system into production.
In addition to my day-to-day responsibilities, I sought to contribute more broadly to strengthening our IT landscape. I began with a departmental gap assessment to identify weaknesses, then designed a corrective and preventive action (CAPA) plan. Implementing this was challenging, as information was dispersed across different people and responsibilities. With a three-month deadline, I launched the CAPA plan to enhance our infrastructure and reinforce security measures, ensuring minimal disruption for employees working across multiple locations. To support long-term stability, I also developed procedures covering key IT domains, including Computer System Validation, Infrastructure, and Security, establishing a solid framework for the future.
At Pharmalys, we take the security and integrity of data very seriously. To support this, we rely on a range of advanced technological systems, including eTMF (electronic trial master file), electronic data capture, CTMS (clinical trial management system), electronic source documentation, interactive response technology, and remote source data verification. These platforms enable us to manage clinical research data efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and security. For me, ensuring that our IT infrastructure safeguards sensitive information across all locations is a key part of my role, and it is central to Pharmalys’ mission. Learn more about our technology platform here.
One of my key projects this year has been restructuring the SharePoint environment. I created a new intranet linked to departmental sites and oversaw the migration of essential data. Thanks to careful planning, we managed this transition without negative impact, which I consider an important milestone for the company.
After leading the IT department for nine months and assuming the responsibilities of IT Manager, I have now been promoted to Senior IT Officer. This promotion means a great deal to me, as it reflects the trust Pharmalys has placed in my work and gives me the opportunity to continue contributing to its mission to Count Africa In to clinical research.
What I value most about Pharmalys is its vision to ensure Africa has a strong representative in the field of clinical research. This inspires me to help in the building of an IT infrastructure that matches the standards of leading CROs across the globe. Looking forward, I am particularly interested in how artificial intelligence can be applied to our systems in a positive and meaningful way. My goal is to introduce innovations that modernise our processes, benefit employees, and strengthen the company’s foundations for the future.
Cheikh Tidiane, Senior IT Officer, Pharmalys
