The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed an agreement with The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute) to help secure the future of cancer research and treatment in Dubai.

Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA and Professor Frank Gannon Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) today (April 23) in the presence of Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Jackie Trad.

The MoU was signed with the aim of establishing strong and collaborative research and training links in cancer diagnosis and treatment and in time could be extended to other diseases relevant to Dubai.

Al Qutami said the MOU is an important step, especially as it documents DHA's relationship with one of the world's leading research institutes, which will in turn support the authority’s drive to achieve a qualitative shift in medical research, clinical medicine and diagnostics, as well as professional development programs, training and medical education. The MoU he added, will also aid in transferring knowledge and exchanging experiences between the two parties.

Professor Gannon said the partnership would focus on clinical research and translation and on participating in developing a world-leading healthcare system using precision medicine techniques developed by QIMR Berghofer.

“Our researchers have been able to develop genome-based diagnostic approaches that have the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer,” Professor Gannon said. “This has been recognized internationally and, in this particular case, by the Dubai Health Authority.”

Professor Gannon said that under the agreement, the two parties will work together using new technologies, such as the integrated Cancer Recurrence Score (iCRS) test developed by the head of QIMR Berghofer’s Personalised Medicine Team, Associate Professor Fares Al-Ejeh.

He said the iCRS was a new test that calculated a risk score of cancer progression for patients to help inform decisions on treatment pathways.

“The partnership between QIMR Berghofer and the Dubai Health Authority to accelerate precision medicine technologies designed by our scientists, will see them fully integrated into the Dubai health system,” Professor Gannon said.

“This agreement is incredibly valuable and provides unique opportunities for our researchers. By working together, we will progress this field of genomics and precision medicine more quickly and vastly improve the treatments currently available for devastating diseases, like cancer.”

The MOU will remain current for three years, during which time more specific actions will be agreed upon.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said it was a significant partnership, which demonstrated the world-class standard of research happening in the state.

“The agreement will see the creation of a framework for remarkable opportunities to be explored and developed by both parties,” Trad said. “It really is incredible to see a Queensland institute taking the lead here in Dubai when it comes to building stronger health systems that will support the lives and health of many people.” – TradeArabia News Service