M42 Partners With AstraZeneca And SOPHiA GENETICS To Transform Cancer Diagnosis In The UAE

M42, a global leader in health technology, has announced a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca and SOPHiA GENETICS. This collaboration aims to introduce advanced liquid biopsy testing in the UAE. The initiative seeks to enhance cancer diagnosis, guide treatment decisions, and provide faster biomarker testing for various cancers.

Over the next year, this partnership will make liquid biopsy testing available at select hospitals across the UAE. This method offers patients quicker and less invasive biomarker insights compared to traditional tissue biopsies. It also aims to strengthen the region's testing infrastructure for a wide range of cancers.

The new testing programme will initially focus on lung, ovarian, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. These types are among the most significant cancer challenges in the region. Validation studies are set to begin soon at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, with a full clinical launch expected by late Q2 2025.

M42 plans to integrate SOPHiA GENETICS’ MSK-ACCESS®, powered by SOPHiA DDM™ technology, into its testing framework. This integration will enable non-invasive genomic profiling of cancers through a simple blood draw. While it complements routine screenings, it is especially beneficial for patients unable to undergo solid tumor biopsies.

Albarah El-khani, Senior Vice President at M42, expressed that this collaboration aligns with their vision of making advanced diagnostics accessible to more patients. "This collaboration reflects our vision of democratising health by making advanced diagnostics accessible to more patients," El-khani stated.

Sameh El Fangary from AstraZeneca highlighted their commitment to improving treatments and creating sustainable healthcare systems. "Our work...is driving towards better treatments for patients as well as a more sustainable future for healthcare systems," he said.

Commitment to Personalised Healthcare

Ross Muken from SOPHiA GENETICS emphasized their mission to expand access to advanced testing technologies. "Expanding access to advanced testing technologies is central to our mission at SOPHiA GENETICS," Muken noted.

This collaboration represents a significant step towards transforming cancer care in the UAE. By advancing early diagnosis and optimizing patient pathways from detection to therapy, it aims to improve outcomes for millions in the region.

With inputs from WAM