Hamad Medical Corporation signs MoU with Boehringer Ingelheim to transform Qatar’s clinical research

QATAR – Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boehringer Ingelheim to strengthen clinical research, healthcare innovation, workforce development, and patient outcomes across Qatar.

The agreement supports the country’s broader efforts to build a more research-driven healthcare system while expanding access to cutting-edge medical advances.

Under the partnership, the two organizations will work together to enhance HMC’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), strengthen research expertise, and develop initiatives that support the continued growth of Qatar’s healthcare sector.

The collaboration is expected to reinforce HMC’s position as a leading center for medical research and innovation in the region.

Improving clinical trial infrastructure will also help attract more international studies to Qatar, giving local researchers greater opportunities to participate in global scientific research while increasing patients’ access to emerging therapies.

Researchers will gain broader exposure to new technologies, treatment approaches, and scientific developments, enabling them to identify future research priorities that better address the country’s evolving healthcare needs.

Building expertise in Health Technology Assessment

A major component of the agreement focuses on strengthening Health Technology Assessment (HTA) at HMC through capacity-building and infrastructure development.

The initiative will equip healthcare professionals with the skills to assess the clinical, economic, societal, and patient impacts of medicines, medical devices, and digital health technologies.

In turn, these assessments will support evidence-based decisions and improve the efficient use of healthcare resources.

Ali Al Janahi, Assistant Managing Director of HMC, said the agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening Qatar’s clinical research ecosystem.

He noted that expanding clinical trials and research capabilities will support the country’s ambition to deliver world-class, value-based healthcare while improving patient outcomes and building a more sustainable health system.

Dr. Anas Ahmad Hamad, Deputy Chief of Drug Supply at HMC and Lead of the National HTA and Innovation Regulation Program under the National Health Strategy 2024–2030, said the partnership will strengthen Qatar’s HTA ecosystem by building local expertise and establishing sustainable assessment capabilities.

He added that collaboration with industry partners will accelerate responsible access to healthcare innovations while supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Supporting Qatar’s healthcare ambitions

Derek O’Leary, Regional Managing Director for India, the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa at Boehringer Ingelheim, said meaningful healthcare progress depends on strong partnerships that translate scientific discoveries into better patient outcomes.

He added that the collaboration reflects both organizations’ commitment to advancing research capabilities and supporting Qatar’s long-term healthcare goals.

Abdallah Hamed, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma for Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, and East Africa (SAGEA), said the partnership aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 by investing in innovation, research, and people.

He noted that closer collaboration between healthcare providers and industry is essential to ensure scientific breakthroughs reach patients more quickly through improved clinical practice and broader access to innovative treatments.

The Qatar agreement follows another regional collaboration announced only days earlier, when Boehringer Ingelheim partnered with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health to advance precision medicine research using genomics and biobank data.

Earlier in June, HMC also launched a joint research funding initiative with Qatar University to support locally driven health research, reinforcing its broader strategy of strengthening research, innovation, and specialized clinical services across the country.