M42 Joins Forces With AstraZeneca To Propel Breast Cancer Prevention And Precision Medicine

M42, a leading global health entity, has recently entered into a significant partnership with AstraZeneca, a foremost biopharmaceutical company specializing in science-led treatments. This collaboration marks a pivotal step towards enhancing preventive healthcare and pioneering precision medicine across the Middle East. As the chosen clinical genomics partner for AstraZeneca in this region, M42 is set to undertake the sequencing of genes linked to hereditary breast cancer. This initiative aims at crafting personalized care and prevention plans, catering to the unique requirements of each patient.

This venture underscores M42's proficiency in multi-omics sequencing within the sphere of oncological diagnostics. This emerging field holds immense promise for elevating patient care amidst the escalating global cancer prevalence. Through gene sequencing, M42 will identify individuals' genetic predispositions to cancer, thereby facilitating early or pre-emptive intervention strategies. This collaboration not only propels M42 and AstraZeneca to the forefront of companion diagnostics programs in the Gulf but also leverages findings to refine personalized medication-based treatments for patients.

Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Group Chief Operating Officer at M42, emphasized the organization's dedication to innovating health solutions through next-generation preventive and precision medicine. He highlighted the program's potential to customize cancer treatment and interventions, significantly impacting patient outcomes and promoting a shift towards preventative healthcare. Peter Raouf, GCC Oncology Business Unit Director at AstraZeneca, echoed these sentiments, underscoring the partnership's role in advancing personalized precision medicine in cancer research and its commitment to improving patient health and societal well-being.

The sequencing operations will be conducted at M42’s Omics Center of Excellence, renowned as one of the globe's largest and most sophisticated multi-omics research facilities. The center is instrumental in generating cutting-edge genomics knowledge and has played a key role in executing one of the world’s most extensive population genomic initiatives, the Emirati Genome Programme (EGP). The EGP, under the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, has set forth guidelines on germline testing for breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes, aiming to refine precision medicine practices within the emirate.

Research under this new agreement will primarily focus on patients from the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. This approach intends to enrich genomics knowledge pertaining to non-Western populations, which are often underrepresented in clinical studies. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 network and known for its comprehensive care capabilities, will be the first hospital to gather genomics data from consenting patients.

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women globally and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the UAE, accounting for 11.6 percent of all such fatalities annually as per the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). Approximately 15 percent of breast cancers are attributed to hereditary mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. This partnership between M42 and AstraZeneca signifies a monumental stride towards mitigating this burden through advanced genomic research and personalized healthcare solutions.

With inputs from WAM