M42’s IROS Partners with BioSapien to Advance Precision Oncology Clinical Trials in the UAE
In an exciting opportunity for next-gen drug development, IROS, an Abu Dhabi-based contract research organization and part of the M42 Group, and BioSapien, the pioneering biotech company have partnered to conduct a landmark oncology clinical trial in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The six-month interventional trial is set to begin in Q1 2026, with IROS serving as the primary service provider. The partnership will focus on treating lower gastrointestinal (GI) cancers using BioSapien’s revolutionary MediChip™ platform. This localized treatment approach is designed to reduce the systemic side effects of chemotherapy – by up to 50% in preclinical models – while enhancing overall patient outcomes.
Lower-GI cancers, including colon, colorectal, and small intestine cancers, are among the world’s most common cancers, accounting for approximately 30 percent of cancer cases. According to Ministry of Health and Prevention Statistics in 2023, in the UAE, colorectal cancer is a particular public health concern, with it being the most common cancer in men, the third most common cancer in women after breast and thyroid cancer, and the third most common cancer in both men and women.
As primary service provider for this trial, IROS’s expertise as a groundbreaking CRO for clinical research will provide the highest standard of trial execution and oversight. The UAE’s clinical trials ecosystem has grown by 40 percent since 2020, and this initiative highlights the region’s commitment to accelerating novel, cutting-edge therapies for improved patient treatment.
Islam Eltantawy, General Manager of IROS, said: "We are proud to partner with BioSapien on its international clinical trial – right here in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration reflects IROS’s strength as a full-service clinical research organization delivering complex, high-impact studies. It also reinforces our commitment to advancing precision medicine and positioning Abu Dhabi at the forefront of global clinical research."
BioSapien’s clinical trials milestone aligns seamlessly with the UAE's focus on elevating quality of life via technology and strengthens the country’s position as a global hub for biotech innovation and clinical research.
Dr. Khatija Ali, CEO of BioSapien, commented: "We’re proud to partner with M42’s IROS to bring our cancer-focused clinical trials to the UAE. This collaboration not only accelerates our mission to revolutionize the way chemotherapy is delivered but also exemplifies the UAE’s growing leadership in enabling cutting-edge biotech innovation. Together, we are shaping a future where precision medicine is both globally impactful and locally accessible.”
BioSapien’s partnership with expert CRO IROS, is a crucial step towards global validation of the MediChip™ platform. Operating in a region dedicated to healthcare innovation, BioSapien aims to achieve international regulatory and commercial certification. Trial success will advance BioSapien's goal to localize and personalize cancer treatment with next-gen drug delivery platforms, potentially transforming the impact of cancer treatment on patients and caregivers. Through advanced clinical research collaborations such as this, IROS continues to drive medical innovation and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
