Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading biopharmaceutical company, to collaborate on initiatives aimed at strengthening clinical research, advancing healthcare innovation, building workforce capabilities, and enhancing patient outcomes in Qatar.

According to Qatar News Agency, the MoU reflects a shared commitment to cooperate across several strategic areas, including enhancing the capabilities of HMC's Clinical Trials Unit (CTU), improving research expertise, and exploring initiatives that support the continued development of healthcare capabilities within Qatar. These efforts will help ensure HMC remains at the forefront of medical advancement and innovation.

By bolstering clinical trial infrastructure and research capabilities, the collaboration aims to attract future international clinical trials to Qatar, increase participation in global studies, and provide local researchers with broader opportunities to contribute to medical innovation and scientific discovery.

The collaboration will also enable HMC researchers to gain greater visibility of emerging therapies, technologies, and research developments. This will help identify future areas of innovation, inform research priorities, and align clinical research activities with evolving healthcare needs.

In addition, the partnership will focus on supporting Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in HMC, including capacity building and infrastructure development, helping healthcare professionals evaluate the clinical, economic, humanistic, and societal impacts of emerging healthcare interventions, such as medicines, medical devices, and digital health technologies. Strengthening HTA expertise will support evidence-based decision-making and help ensure the effective and efficient use of healthcare resources.

Assistant Managing Director of Hamad Medical Corporation Ali Al Janahi highlighted the agreement's significance, stating: "This collaboration represents an important step in strengthening Qatar's clinical research ecosystem and supporting our ambition to deliver world-class healthcare through innovation, evidence-based practice, value-based healthcare, and international collaboration."

Dr. Anas Ahmad Hamad, Deputy Chief of Drug Supply in HMC and Lead of National HTA and Innovation Regulation Program in the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, said: "This collaboration marks an important step in advancing Qatar's HTA ecosystem by strengthening local capacity, enhancing technical expertise, and supporting the development of sustainable HTA infrastructure within Hamad Medical Corporation and the wider healthcare system."

Derek O'Leary, Regional Managing Director at Boehringer Ingelheim, stated: "Our collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation reflects a shared commitment to co-create advanced research capabilities, unlock scientific potential, and support the continued advancement of healthcare in Qatar."

Abdallah Hamed, General Manager and Head of Human Pharma, Saudi Arabia, Gulf and East Africa (SAGEA), Boehringer Ingelheim, added: "Our collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation reflects a shared commitment to strengthening research capabilities while embedding innovation more effectively into clinical practice."