The Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at the American University in Dubai (AUD), in collaboration with the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) and the Drug Information Association (DIA), co-organized a Clinical Research Forum that brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, industry, healthcare institutions, and international organizations to support the UAE’s clinical research ecosystem.

The forum served as a country-focused platform to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and promote a coordinated and high-quality clinical research environment aligned with international standards. Specialized sessions covered critical topics including regulatory frameworks, research ethics and data protection, research quality, operational readiness of research sites, and academic-industry partnerships, highlighting the UAE’s growing capacity to attract and conduct innovative clinical studies.

Participants included representatives from national health authorities such as the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), EDE, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Leading academic institutions, including AUD, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the University of Sharjah, were actively involved, alongside major healthcare providers and industry partners such as Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, AstraZeneca, and Amgen, with contributions from the World Health Organization further enriching the discussions.

This forum reflects AUD’s commitment to support advancing healthcare education and research, reinforcing the university’s role as a contributor to the UAE’s scientific progress and national research priorities. It aligns closely with AUD’s academic programs in Biology, Psychology, and Pre-Med, and supports the university’s long-term vision, including the anticipated launch of the AUD School of Medicine in partnership with Penn Medicine.