Abu Dhabi:The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Novartis have announced the activation of the Abu Dhabi Clinical Trials Hub through Novartis's global Phase 3 programs. This initiative spans neuroscience, cardiovascular disease, oncology, and immunology, marking a significant development in the region's clinical research landscape.
According to Wam, this announcement was made during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026. It signifies a vital step in integrating Abu Dhabi's established clinical research strengths with global clinical development initiatives, thereby creating new opportunities for local investigators and eligible patients.
The collaboration between DoH and Novartis has been ongoing for two years, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 5, 2024. The partnership has fostered enhanced collaboration in clinical research, evidence generation, and healthcare innovation, setting the stage for activating global Phase 3 programs in Abu Dhabi.
The activation will focus on strengthening investigator and research-site readiness, improving study start-up efficiency, and enhancing pathways for patient identification and referral. Each study and participating site will undergo feasibility assessments and obtain necessary regulatory, ethics, and institutional approvals.
Dr. Asma Al Mannei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, highlighted Abu Dhabi's strong clinical research ecosystem, which combines healthcare expertise, advanced research capabilities, and a supportive regulatory environment. Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of Novartis GCC, emphasized the importance of research and development in Novartis's mission and the collaborative efforts to build a robust foundation for clinical research in Abu Dhabi.
The ongoing collaboration aims to leverage Abu Dhabi's clinical research capabilities, promoting scientific exchange and real-world evidence generation. This effort is part of the broader goal to position Abu Dhabi as a regional and global center for health and life sciences, emphasizing public-private partnerships in enabling research that meets scientific and patient needs.