M42, AstraZeneca, and SOPHiA GENETICS to transform cancer diagnosis and care

Cancer care in the UAE is getting a high-tech makeover, thanks to a powerful new alliance. M42, a global force in health tech, has teamed up with pharma heavyweight AstraZeneca and precision medicine specialist SOPHiA GENETICS. to roll out next-gen liquid biopsy tests across the country — tests that can catch cancer's genetic signature with just a simple blood draw.

"This collaboration reflects our vision of democratising health," said Albarah El-khani of M42. And make no mistake, this is more than a fancy tool. It's a lifeline for patients who can't undergo traditional biopsies.

How will it work?

The science behind it is as smart as it is simple:

• M42 will integrate MSK-ACCESS, powered by SOPHiA DDM, into its testing systems.
• This means hospitals in the UAE can now offer liquid biopsies — a way to scan a patient's blood for cancer-related genetic markers without cutting or probing.
• It's not a replacement for solid tumor biopsies, but a complementary method — especially useful when the standard biopsy just isn't possible.

Here's the real kicker: once those markers are found, doctors can pair patients with precision treatments, customized to the quirks of their specific cancer. That's personalized medicine in action.

Ross Muken of SOPHiA GENETICS put it this way: "Partnering with M42 and AstraZeneca in the UAE allows us to equip healthcare providers with the tools they need to personalise care, monitor disease in real-time, and ultimately improve outcomes."

Why does it matter?

In the world of cancer, time and accuracy are everything. Traditional biopsies can be invasive, slow, and sometimes inconclusive. Liquid biopsies flip the script:

• Faster results, which can mean faster treatment.
• Non-invasive, just a needle poke instead of a surgical procedure.
• Broader access, especially for those who can't go under the knife.

The focus will first be on cancers that are especially burdensome in the region — lung, ovarian, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic. That's not a small win. That's a game-changer.

Sameh El Fangary of AstraZeneca nailed it: "We are committed to transforming cancer care for millions in the region by advancing the early diagnosis and optimizing patient pathways from detection to therapy."

The context

The UAE has been sprinting toward innovation in healthcare. This latest move fits squarely into its larger ambition: to be a global leader in precision medicine.

In the next 12 months:

• Hospitals across the country will roll out access to these liquid biopsy tests.
• Validation studies will kick off at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for a full-scale launch in Q2 2025.

For M42, it's all part of the plan to bring cutting-edge tech to everyday care. For AstraZeneca and SOPHiA GENETICS, it's a bold step into a region ready for smart, scalable healthcare.