Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched a comprehensive Clinical Trials Program aimed at transforming precision healthcare for children with rare and complex diseases in the Arab region. This initiative seeks to address the critical lack of research and personalized treatment options available to this population.
The program will focus on clinical trials that directly benefit children in the Arab region, particularly those with rare diseases that currently lack effective treatments. This positions Sidra Medicine as a regional leader in clinical research, offering innovative and personalized treatment options.
Addressing a Critical Data Gap
A significant historical lack of research within the Arab population has created a substantial data gap, hindering the development of effective and personalized treatments. The clinical trials at Sidra Medicine are designed to bridge this gap by building a robust database of knowledge that enables more effective and tailored treatment approaches to meet the unique needs of this population.
Dr. Chiara Cugno, Director of Advanced Cell Therapy Core at Sidra Medicine, emphasized the importance of representing Middle Eastern pediatric populations from the outset of drug testing. "Many of the current treatment options are often ineffective because they have not been designed for those with Arab ancestry, African-Arab, or Persian-Arab genetics in mind. Our clinical trials program will allow us to change that, offering personalized experimental solutions and new hope, particularly for families with these genetic ancestries."
Focus Areas and Scope
Sidra Medicine’s clinical trials will evaluate medicines, medical devices, and medical procedures that have either been approved for adults but not yet studied for children, or are not yet government approved. The initial focus will be on disorders and medical conditions such as endocrine disorders like Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) and Diabetes Type 1 (T1D); neuromuscular conditions like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA); metabolic disorders like Homocystinuria (HCU); and pediatric cancers like Low Grade Glioma (pLGG).
Ethical Standards and Global Partnerships
Every clinical trial at Sidra Medicine will undergo rigorous examination, including review by an independent Institutional Review Board and Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, ensuring the well-being of every patient enrolled, especially children. The privacy and confidentiality of each family will be strictly maintained throughout the process.
Prof. Khalid A. Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, stated, "By becoming a regional leader in clinical trials, we will be able to bring innovative therapies to our patients, offering access to potentially life-changing outcomes to children with rare diseases."
Sidra Medicine is part of a network of global healthcare institutions and has been selected as a site for several pharma-sponsored industry clinical trials to date, which are at various stages of feasibility assessment. This collaboration underscores the credibility of Sidra Medicine's research, expertise, and technologies, positioning it as a leading center for pediatric clinical research in the Middle East.
