Understanding between M42 and"Arcera" To support the development of the biopharmaceutical and life sciences industries in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, June 3, 2017 (WAM) – M42 Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Arcera Life Sciences, a global company specialized in the life sciences sector, which focuses on developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions, with the aim of establishing a non-exclusive strategic cooperation framework that focuses on enhancing the localization of biopharmaceutical industries, clinical development, and innovations in future healthcare solutions in Abu Dhabi.
This cooperation is in line with the efforts of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi aimed at strengthening the emirate’s position as a global center for life sciences innovation, as it will contribute to building an integrated life sciences system that includes clinical research and innovative treatments, which supports the treatment of genetic and rare diseases through scalable treatments.
Under the MoU, Arcera will work with M42 to leverage genomic data and query capabilities in genomic databases to assess the prevalence of a specific set of genetic and rare diseases.
By combining DoH-Abu Dhabi’s genomics insights, along with M42’s advanced data platforms and healthcare delivery capabilities, with Arcera’s expertise in advanced drug development, business development, and market access, the collaboration aims to accelerate the introduction of innovative therapies and improve patient access to advanced treatment solutions in the region.
The collaboration is based on four main strategic pillars, including drug development supported by genomics by leveraging insights from national health and research programs supported by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, M42 data platforms, and Arcera’s expertise in advanced development stages to advance the process of precision medicine and innovative treatments, including cell and gene therapies.
The pillars also include accelerating clinical development by supporting advanced-stage clinical trials, enhancing the generation of clinical evidence, and expanding patients’ access to innovative treatments, in addition to developing advanced biobanking, stem cell therapies, and regenerative medicine by taking advantage of available capabilities such as the Abu Dhabi Biobank to enable pioneering therapeutic innovations.
The pillars also include supporting digital transformation supported by artificial intelligence by integrating innovative technologies into the various stages of the life sciences value chain to enhance development efficiency and consolidate Abu Dhabi’s leadership in healthcare supported by artificial intelligence, which contributes to supporting immediate cooperation opportunities and building long-term capabilities within the health and life sciences system in Abu Dhabi.
Through this collaboration, M42 and Arcera will establish a framework to evaluate joint opportunities, identify priority use cases, and enable collaboration in the areas of pharmaceutical development and commercialization. This partnership is designed to support practical paths for implementation while building long-term capabilities within the life sciences ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Asma Al Mannai, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stressed that the cooperation reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing capabilities in life sciences and its ambition to consolidate its position as a global center for healthcare innovation, noting that the department’s efforts in developing legislation and infrastructure for data, genomic insights, and clinical research create a supportive environment to accelerate the development of biopharmaceuticals and future treatments for genetic and rare diseases.
For his part, Dr. Fahd Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Integrated Health Solutions Platform at M42, said that the partnership with Arcera strengthens the life sciences system in Abu Dhabi by employing the capabilities of genomics, data, artificial intelligence, and healthcare, along with Arcera’s expertise, to support the biopharmaceutical industries, clinical development, and transform innovation into therapeutic solutions that serve patients.
For her part, Isabel Afonso, CEO of Arcera Life Sciences, stressed that the cooperation reflects the strength of the life sciences system in Abu Dhabi, by combining innovation and manufacturing capabilities and facilitating patients’ access to treatments in order to achieve a sustainable impact.
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