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

Oracle's new collaboration with AstraZeneca and Abu Dhabi's M42 aims to revolutionize healthcare in the region by leveraging artificial intelligence to significantly improve clinical trial processes. According to Oracle's senior executive Seema Verma, the partnership - which will initially focus on hypertension care in Abu Dhabi - has the potential to dramatically cut the time and cost of running trials, addressing a major barrier in drug development.

The collaboration will use Oracle's cloud infrastructure and AI tools to expedite patient recruitment, trial enrollment, and data management, ultimately speeding up the entire clinical research process. By streamlining the data transfer from electronic health records (EHRs) to clinical trial systems, AI is expected to bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and the availability of new drugs.

Verma anticipates tangible results within a year, such as increased trial participation and faster trial execution. She envisions this technology could extend to projects in the US, Middle East, and Europe. Abu Dhabi has been emerging as a hub for clinical research, particularly in areas like oncology and Alzheimer's, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. Notably, AstraZeneca has also announced a $50 million investment in clinical trials across the UAE.

M42 has already launched an AI platform, Ossi, which promises to free up doctors' time, allowing them to spend more directly with patients. The Middle East's openness to AI technology and strong genomic testing infrastructure position it as a potential world leader in AI-driven healthcare. Oracle is also integrating AI tools into its EHR system, aiming to enhance patient care, improve diagnosis, and ultimately, deliver better health outcomes across the region.