M42, Arcera team up to boost medicine and biotech growth in Abu Dhabi

M42 Integrated Health Solutions and Arcera Life Sciences have signed a strategic agreement to accelerate biopharma localisation and next‑generation healthcare innovation in Abu Dhabi. The partnership, announced on June 3, 2026, will support efforts led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to position the emirate as a global hub for life sciences by combining M42’s healthcare and artificial intelligence capabilities with Arcera’s drug development and market access expertise.

"Combining artificial intelligence, healthcare delivery and drug development expertise would help expand clinical opportunities and support the translation of research into patient care."

— Dr. Fahad Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, M42 Integrated Health Solutions

The agreement commits both companies to develop an integrated life sciences ecosystem spanning clinical development, innovative therapies and treatments for genetic and rare diseases. Under the collaboration, Arcera will work with M42 to leverage genomics data and study disease prevalence across selected genetic and rare conditions, with an aim to support precision medicine and improve patient access to advanced treatment solutions in the region.

Officials outlined four principal areas of focus for the partnership:

• Genomics‑based therapeutic development, using population and disease prevalence data to inform target selection and trial design.
• Accelerating clinical trials, increasing local trial capacity and streamlining pathways from research to patient care.
• Advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine research, aligning laboratory and clinical capabilities to foster new treatment modalities.
• Integrating artificial intelligence technologies across the healthcare sector to optimise development, diagnosis and delivery of therapies.

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, described the collaboration as evidence of the emirate’s evolving role in healthcare innovation. "The collaboration reflects the emirate’s growing position in life sciences and healthcare innovation," she said, adding that "Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen regulation, clinical research and health data infrastructure to help accelerate the development of advanced therapies and improve healthcare outcomes."

Isabel Afonso, Chief Executive Officer of Arcera Life Sciences, said the deal underlines the capabilities of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem. "The partnership highlights the strength of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem and supports sustainable patient‑focused innovation," Afonso said, framing the agreement as both a commercial and clinical advancement for the region.

The companies said the agreement includes plans to evaluate future joint projects and to create pathways for long‑term collaboration in both development and commercialisation. By combining M42’s AI and healthcare delivery experience with Arcera’s market access and drug development skills, the partners intend to expand clinical opportunities and speed the translation of research into patient treatments in Abu Dhabi and the wider region.

While no financial details were disclosed, officials positioned the collaboration as part of a broader push to strengthen the UAE’s life sciences sector, increase clinical research capacity, and apply genomics and AI to healthcare and pharmaceutical development.