Burjeel Holdings taps US-based Paige to deploy FDA-approved AI in cancer diagnostics across MENA

In a move that might just tip the scales in cancer care across the Middle East and North Africa, Burjeel Holdings is teaming up with U.S.-based Paige to roll out a suite of AI-powered diagnostic tools. This isn't just a tech upgrade — it's a seismic shift in how, and how fast, cancer gets diagnosed. Announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the partnership marries Burjeel's super-specialty healthcare footprint with Paige's FDA-approved, algorithm-driven precision.

As Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Burjeel's founder, watched from the front row, the message was clear: the future of cancer diagnosis is faster and sharper and more accessible.

How does it work?

At the core of this collaboration is Paige Prostate Detect — a groundbreaking AI tool and the first of its kind to receive FDA approval. It scans prostate biopsies with clinical precision, spotting cancer with a level of consistency that's tough to beat. But that's not the whole story.

• Paige's AI portfolio includes PanCancer Detect and Breast Lymph Node analysis tools, as well as Paige OmniScreen, which screens over 1,600 molecular biomarkers — giving clinicians a molecular-level map for personalized cancer treatment.
• These tools are designed to support, not replace, the expertise of pathologists. Think of it as giving already skilled professionals an ultra-smart co-pilot.
• Workflows get faster. Diagnoses get sharper. And patients get answers sooner — sometimes in life-saving timeframes.

"By incorporating next-gen AI into our pathology services, we aim to enhance the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnosis," said John Sunil, Group CEO of Burjeel Holdings.

Why does it matter?

Because in too many places, the clock ticks louder. Pathologist shortages mean delays. And delays, in oncology, can be devastating. This partnership flips that narrative.

• Patients in emerging markets — those often left behind in the race for advanced tech — stand to gain the most.
• It's not just about fancy algorithms. It's about giving every patient, no matter where they are, a fair shot at early detection and treatment.

Peter Hamilton of Paige put it plainly: "Burjeel Holdings' commitment to innovation and equitable care... helps deliver on our mission to make next-generation cancer diagnostics accessible worldwide."

The context

Burjeel isn't dipping its toe into AI. It's diving headfirst. With healthcare systems across MENA under pressure to modernize and expand access, this alliance plants a flag in the sand: the region is ready for smarter, tech-driven medicine.

• Paige brings regulatory muscle — its tools have earned the FDA's Breakthrough Device Designation.
• Burjeel brings scale and credibility on the ground.

Together, they're setting the stage for MENA to become a regional hub for AI-enabled pathology, closing the diagnostic divide and rewriting what's possible in cancer care.