The landscape of clinical and translational research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the need for innovation and the yearn to shape an economy powered by research and development. The regulatory environment is also becoming more agile and able to meet the highest quality and global standards. Despite these advances, several challenges and unmet needs continue to persist, especially with regards to research funding, infrastructure and capabilities, and effective collaboration both within and outside the region. We have put together this two-day event to provide a networking opportunity for scholars and innovators who are credited for the evolving biomedical and clinical research momentum in the MENA region. The first key to promote collaboration is awareness to the various research programs and opportunities that exist in our ‘neighbourhood’. The program is also designed to cater to the rising stars in the region who are invested in a career along the translational or clinical research paths. 

​

We will walk together through a comprehensive journey from the bench to the bedside, to the community. We will hear it first from the science makers, on successes and challenges they faced in building translational research programs across leading institutions in the region. We will also explore the highs and lows in the road from discovery to clinical development, and its various regulatory checkpoints. Rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence and how these are empowering research in diagnostics, prediction models, and drug discovery will be highlighted. As we move to the clinical trials space, we will discuss growing capabilities in the region, as well as persisting challenges in attracting the global industry to expand their research and development programs. Patient centricity is now becoming a norm, and we will uncover ideal tactics to promote clinical trial awareness and recruitment, and more importantly, how to ensure that clinical trials are designed based on patient insights. New technologies that enable remote clinical trial monitoring, especially with regards to patient reported outcomes, will also be featured. The meeting has four embedded workshops focusing on practical aspects that keep researcher awake at night, with the hope that they can provide a recipe for success in a research-oriented career. 

​

We hope to have put together a program that resonates with your learning objectives, and we wish you an enjoyable time in Abu Dhabi.