Abu Dhabi:The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and AstraZeneca have announced a new collaboration aimed at positioning Abu Dhabi as a key location within AstraZeneca's global clinical trial network. This initiative capitalizes on the emirate's advanced health system, research infrastructure, and supportive regulatory environment.
According to Wam, the collaboration was unveiled at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, highlighting plans to explore up to 30 clinical trials in Abu Dhabi by 2030. These trials will focus on AstraZeneca's biopharmaceutical portfolio, particularly targeting cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases, which are significant causes of mortality in the UAE. The initiative is expected to bring an estimated AED 180 million (US$50 million) investment into Abu Dhabi's life sciences research by 2030.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the summit in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori. Signatories included Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Georges-Pascal Haber, and Sir Pascal Soriot. The collaboration leverages Abu Dhabi's partnership with AstraZeneca in research, genomics, and digital health, aiming to bolster local research capacity and provide high-quality evidence tailored to regional health needs.
The collaboration anticipates the commencement of the first six trials at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi by the end of 2026. These efforts are intended to generate evidence relevant to local populations and address the historical underrepresentation of regional demographics in pharmaceutical research. Furthermore, the initiative aims to develop local research professionals and offer eligible patients opportunities to participate in international clinical research.
Leaders from the involved organizations underscored the collaboration's potential to enhance clinical research, expand access to new treatments, and improve patient outcomes. This initiative builds on Abu Dhabi's existing health ecosystem, integrating government, healthcare providers, research institutions, and industry to foster an advanced life sciences environment for discovery and clinical trials.