Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH) is set to begin clinical trials to transform the way thalassemia is treated with two global clinical trials.
The Phase 3 trials, under the supervision of DoH Abu Dhabi, for adult patients with thalassemia (ENERGIZE and ENERGIZE-T), aim to test the effectiveness and safety of a new drug, Mitapivat.
Conducted at Burjeel Medical City, the clinical trials could offer new hope for thalassemia patients in the country. The trials will be held in collaboration with several centres and multiple sites across the US, Europe, and Asia, enabling access to state-of-the-art therapies from the outset of clinical development.
As the emirate’s healthcare regulator, we are relentlessly working on cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as a pioneering healthcare destination globally and the region’s hub for research and innovation in life science. Abu Dhabi was able to play a pivotal role in developing medicines and conducting clinical trials with several international partners. Today, we are witnessing the launch of new clinical trials, so that we continue our efforts as we aim to further improve healthcare services in Abu Dhabi and help all members of our community and across the globe.
Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director, Research Centre and Innovation at DoH, shared.
“Last year, clinical trials in Abu Dhabi saw an increase of 27 percent, reaching 71 clinical trials in 2022, compared to 56 trials in 2021. Furthermore, the UAE was one of the first countries to participate in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines, witnessing the largest clinical trial on the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, covering more than 32,000 volunteers,” the Executive Director added.
Dr. Khaled Musallam, Group Chief Research Officer, Burjeel Holdings, commented that “Burjeel Medical City is committed to improving the health and well-being of patients by prioritising the latest developments in treatment, research, and development and actively participating in projects with some of the world’s leading institutions. If these studies meet their endpoints, this could be a game changer for how the disease is treated today. A disease-modifying therapy can address the persisting unmet needs of patients in the UAE and around the world.”
The ENERGIZE trials will start with a typical screening period and run for 24 weeks, while ENERGIZE-T will run for 48 weeks, the core treatment period for primary results, followed by five-year extensions. The trials will include clinical, radiologic, and laboratory assessments, which will be conducted at Burjeel Medical City using state-of-the-art technology.