New Abu Dhabi clinical trials using AI to have ‘massive’ impact on health care

Oracle's new partnership with AstraZeneca and Abu Dhabi's M42 is expected to revolutionize healthcare in the region by cutting the costs and time associated with clinical trials, according to a senior Oracle executive. The collaboration, announced last week, will use Oracle's cloud infrastructure and AI tools alongside AstraZeneca's scientific development to accelerate global clinical research.

The program, which focuses on hypertension care in Abu Dhabi, aims to identify patients with uncontrolled hypertension, improve trial recruitment, and streamline the clinical trial process. Seema Verma, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Health and Life Sciences, believes the partnership will have a "massive impact" on healthcare systems, bringing drugs to market more quickly and efficiently.

The AI-powered platform will help close the gap between scientific breakthroughs and drug availability by automating data transfer from electronic health records to clinical trial systems. Verma expects results within a year, focusing on increasing trial participation and reducing the time required to run trials. Abu Dhabi is already a hub for clinical research, with AstraZeneca recently announcing a $50 million investment in dozens of clinical trials in the UAE.

The Middle East's innovation in genomic testing and AI adoption positions it as a leader in healthcare technology, according to Verma. Oracle is also integrating AI tools into its electronic health record system, such as ambient listening to generate notes from doctor-patient conversations and assist with coding and diagnoses. While AI can't replace human healthcare providers, Verma emphasizes that it can highlight the latest treatments and improve overall health outcomes by addressing the strain on healthcare systems due to an aging population and increased demand for care.