Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health has agreed with AstraZeneca and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to explore running up to 30 clinical trials in the emirate by 2030, a collaboration it said could bring an estimated AED180 million ($50 million) of investment into life sciences research.
The trials would span AstraZeneca’s biopharmaceutical portfolio, with a focus on cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said on Wednesday. The first six trials are expected to start at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi by the end of 2026.
The department also signed agreements with Isomorphic Labs, an AI drug discovery company, and with wearable technology maker WHOOP. The deals were signed at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit in the presence of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs.
Under the Isomorphic Labs agreement, the two sides will develop a pre-clinical research roadmap for selected AI-enabled drug discovery projects over 24 months. The research will be carried out within Abu Dhabi’s Trusted Research Environment.
Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health, signed the agreement with Max Jaderberg, President of Isomorphic Labs.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health, said the Emirati Genome Programme and the emirate’s connected health system were opening possibilities for more precise and personalized treatments.
The WHOOP agreement sets up a 24-month research program on heart and metabolic health. Its first study will assess, over six months, how continuous wearable data and coaching affect weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and sleep in adults with obesity and high blood pressure.
Will Ahmed, Founder and Chief Executive of WHOOP, said the company first began working in the UAE in 2016.
Dr Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said the AstraZeneca collaboration would accelerate clinical research and expand access to innovative treatments.
