G42 Healthcare and AstraZeneca Sign Agreement to Advance Life Sciences at BIO International Convention

21 Jun, 2022:

G42 Healthcare, an Abu Dhabi-based leading health tech company and subsidiary of G42, an artificial intelligence and cloud computing company located in Abu Dhabi has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with global biopharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, in the presence of  the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi aiming to expand their collaboration into the domains of diagnostics and clinical research, providing access to innovative solutions and treatments for patients in the United Arab Emirates and beyond. 

Witnessed by Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director, Research and Innovation Centre at DoH, Hicham Mirghani, Corporate Affairs Director GCC at AstraZeneca and Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Chief Operating Officer at G42 Healthcare, the agreement was signed by Ghaleb Al Ahdab Government Affairs, Associate Director Gulf at AstraZeneca, and Francesco Redivo Senior Director at G42 Healthcare during the BIO International Convention held in San Diego, California. 

G42 Healthcare and AstraZeneca initially signed a Declaration of Collaboration in December 2021. This agreement further expands on their partnership to build local research capabilities, conduct RWE / clinical trials in UAE and localize Oncology biomarkers testing in UAE.

Powered by a solid infrastructure and an advanced healthcare ecosystem, partnership opportunities across the biopharmaceutical and healthcare value chain in Abu Dhabi continue to emerge due to the sector’s strong growth potential. Through international collaborations, Abu Dhabi seeks to lead research groups supported by global partners to explore the resilience and sustainability of the healthcare sector worldwide and provide quality care to patients.

Headed by HE Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), a high-profile Abu Dhabi delegation comprised of government officials visited the United States of America earlier this month to expand and explore prospects of collaboration within the framework of healthcare at large and life science in specific.

The visit achieved several meetings and agreement signings with leading partners to explore and activate collaborations in life science and real-world evidence, digital health, research and development, supply chain and many other areas. The visit aims to lay down sustainable mechanisms that empower the healthcare sector in both countries and showcase Abu Dhabi’s distinguished healthcare ecosystem.

The Abu Dhabi delegation to the US witnessed the participation of ten critical entities in the life science ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Mubadala Health, G42 Healthcare, Abu Dhabi Ports, ADQ, Etihad Cargo, Khalifa University, Hayat-vax and Pure Health.

Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare, said, “We value collaboration and believe the strategic partnership with AstraZeneca will yield incredible growth for the healthcare ecosystem. We are proud to align ourselves with these organizations to generate new treatments and technologies to solidify the UAE’s place as a global hub for life sciences, medical tourism and innovation.” 

Hicham Mirghani, Corporate Affairs Director GCC, AstraZeneca said, “We are excited about expanding our existing partnership with G42 Healthcare to further advance the healthcare sector in the country and region. There is no doubt that innovation is key to healthcare advancements, and we are eagerly looking forward to collaboratively exploring greater possibilities in clinical research and diagnostics, enabling us to together create a more patient-centric healthcare offering in the UAE.”