Med42: Revolutionizing Healthcare with Generative AI Model

Announcement

15 Apr 2025

M42 partners with Toshiba to build the Middle East's first heavy-ion therapy facility at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to fight cancer

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M42 is set to revolutionize oncology care with the launch of the Middle East’s first heavy-ion facility, in partnership with Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS). Located next to the Fatima bint Mubarak Center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, this state-of-the-art center will provide advanced cancer treatment, addressing a critical gap in the region. With only 15 centers worldwide and none within a five-hour flight of the UAE, this facility reinforces Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of M42, as a leader in innovative cancer care, with the potential to expand into a multi-ion facility in the future.

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"M42’s partnership with Toshiba ESS is a significant step that reinforces our commitment to reshaping the future of global health through cutting-edge innovations and technologies."

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais
Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of M42 and Chairman of Clevland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Latest Innovation in Cancer Care

The heavy-ion therapy system will include one treatment room equipped with a rotating gantry and one horizontally fixed beam treatment room. The system incorporates cutting-edge high-speed scanning irradiation technology and a compact rotating gantry equipped with superconducting magnets. This multidisciplinary approach in cancer is new to the region.

This advanced heavy-ion therapy begins with the highest level of precision, utilizing state-of-the-art imaging technologies such as CT and MRI to accurately map the tumor. This ensures that every aspect of the treatment is tailored to the specific needs of the patient. Once the tumor is precisely located, sophisticated planning software determines the optimal dose and trajectory of the ion beam.

Subsequently, a synchrotron accelerates heavy-ions, such as carbon ions, at nearly 70% of the speed of light. This high velocity equips the ions with the energy necessary to penetrate deeply into tissues, precisely targeting even the most challenging tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“Heavy-ion therapy represents a significant leap forward in radiation therapy, offering faster and less frequent treatments."

Tsutomu Takeuchi
Director, Vice President for Power Systems Division, Chief Nuclear Officer of Toshiba ESS

Improving Cancer Patient Care

Harnessing the power of precision, this breakthrough in heavy-ion therapy delivers targeted cancer treatment with unparalleled accuracy, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Precision & Accuracy

Millimeter-precision targeting: The high-energy ion beam is directed exactly at the tumor, ensuring optimal treatment.

Bragg Peak phenomenon: Unlike conventional X-rays, the ions release nearly all their energy at a precise depth, targeting the tumor while sparing healthy tissue.

Magnetic beam control: High-speed acceleration and advanced guidance ensure that energy is delivered only to the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding areas.
Cancer Cell Destruction

DNA double-strand breaks: Heavy ions efficiently disrupt cancer cell DNA, making treatment 2–3 times more effective than conventional radiation.

Higher cure rates: Proven in treating primary and recurrent cancers, including those that have been resistant to traditional radiation.
Faster Recovery & Fewer Side Effects

Reduced complications: Patients experience significantly fewer side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy.

Shorter treatment cycles: Some cancers require just one session, while more complex cases may need a few sessions over several weeks.

This is a transformative approach to treating a wide range of complex malignancies, it effectively addresses both primary and recurrent tumors, including those that are resistant to conventional treatment methods:

Head and neck cancers
Lung cancer
Liver cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
Certain brain tumors

“This milestone solidifies our position as a global leader in personalized, patient-centered oncology care, setting a new benchmark for the region and beyond.”

Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber
Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Shaping the Future Of Oncology

The introduction of heavy-ion therapy to the region represents a pivotal milestone in cancer treatment, solidifying the UAE’s position as a global leader in oncology, advanced medical innovation, and clinical trials.

By building on the region’s world-class cancer care, the introduction of heavy-ion therapy underscores the UAE’s commitment to pioneering breakthrough treatments and transforming the future of healthcare.

With this bold advancement, M42 continues to push the boundaries of medical innovation - delivering precision, hope, and life-saving technology to those who need it most.

- What is Heavy-Ion Therapy, and how does it differ from conventional radiation therapy?
  
  Heavy-ion Therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses carbon ions instead of X-rays or protons to precisely target and destroy cancerous tumors.
  
  Unlike conventional radiation therapy, that can incidentally damage surrounding healthy tissue, heavy-ions deliver a more focused and higher-energy dose, ensuring maximum tumor destruction while minimizing harm to adjacent tissues and organs.
- What makes this facility so significant?
  
  This facility represents a major breakthrough in the fight against cancer, offering patients access to a highly advanced treatment currently available only in a few select locations worldwide.
  
  With only 15 centers globally and none within a six-hour flight of Abu Dhabi, this facility fills a critical gap in advanced cancer care, providing innovative and effective treatment to patients across the MENA region.
  
  This development is a transformative moment for cancer patients, driven by the therapy’s unparalleled efficacy and precision, while positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in oncology and advanced medical innovation.
- What is the size of the facility?
  
  The facility will cover approximately 20,000 square meters—roughly the size of three football fields. It will include a treatment room where radiation is delivered from multiple angles (gantry), one treatment room with a fixed beam, control rooms for managing treatments, a room for the carbon particles accelerator, areas for quality assurance and research, imaging equipment, power supply, reception, patient support areas, and administrative space.
- What types of cancer can be treated with Heavy-Ion Therapy?
  Heavy-Ion Therapy is particularly effective for treating tumors resistant or untreatable with conventional radiation, including:
  - Inoperable head and neck cancers
  - Early-stage lung cancer
  - Liver cancer
  - Pancreatic cancer
  - Melanoma
  - Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
  - Eye and mucosal melanoma
  - High-risk prostate cancer
  - Locally recurrent cancer
  It is also beneficial for tumors located near critical organs, where traditional radiation poses a higher risk of collateral damage.
- How does this treatment improve patient outcomes?
  Heavy-Ion Therapy offers several key advantages:
  - Higher precision: Radiation is delivered with greater accuracy, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
  - Increased effectiveness: Especially beneficial for treating radio-resistant tumors.
  - Fewer treatment sessions: Patients often require fewer sessions than with traditional radiotherapy.
  - Reduced side effects: Due to its highly targeted approach, patients experience fewer short- and long-term complications.
- When will the project officially start, and what is the expected timeline for construction?
  
  Heavy Ion Therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses carbon ions instead of X-rays or protons. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which can damage surrounding healthy tissue, heavy ions deliver a more targeted and higher-energy dose, maximizing tumor destruction while minimizing harm to adjacent organs.
- Given the novelty of this technology, what independent evidence or data supports its effectiveness, particularly in reducing long-term side effects or secondary cancers?
  
  Heavy-Ion therapy has been used in the treatment of cancer for more than 20 years in Japan where published studies showed high effectiveness on many tumor sites.In addition, a study published in Lancet Oncology found that prostate cancer patients treated with carbon ion radiotherapy experienced a lower risk of developing subsequent primary cancers compared to those treated with photon radiotherapy.
- How many treatment rooms will the facility have?
  
  The facility will feature two treatment rooms: one with a fixed-beam treatment setup and another with a rotating gantry treatment system.
- Will each type of cancer require a separate machine, or can a single machine be calibrated to treat multiple types?
  
  The Heavy-Ion Therapy system is highly adaptable. A single treatment room can be calibrated to treat various cancer types based on the specific needs of each patient. This flexibility ensures that a wide range of tumors can be treated without requiring separate machines for each type of cancer.
- Will the facility contribute to cancer research?
  
  Absolutely. In addition to treating patients, the facility will serve as a hub for clinical research, developing new protocols for Heavy-Ion Therapy and collaborating with leading global cancer research institutions.
- Is M42 partnering with universities or medical institutions, and what does this mean for cancer care?
  
  Yes, M42 has formed strategic partnerships with top universities and medical institutions. For instance, we have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Japan’s National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), a world leader in carbon ion therapy research. Announced during the visit of Japan’s Prime Minister in July 2023, this collaboration aims to advance clinical research and promote knowledge-sharing around carbon ion therapy.
  
  Through these partnerships, M42 and QST are combining their expertise to explore new clinical applications, enhance cancer care, and drive innovation in advanced radiation therapy. This highlights
  M42’s commitment to delivering world-class, tech-enabled, patient-centered care.
  
  Additionally, we are finalizing further agreements to strengthen our collaboration with other Heavy-Ion Therapy facilities in Japan.
- What are the environmental risks associated with a Heavy-Ion Therapy facility, and what is the facility doing to mitigate them?
  
  The primary concerns typically include radiation shielding and energy consumption. To address these, Heavy-Ion Therapy facilities are built with rigorous safety protocols to minimize environmental risks. Our facility will be fully licensed by FANR and will adhere to the highest international standards in nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation, ensuring that all potential environmental impacts are carefully managed and mitigated.
- Does Heavy-Ion Therapy produce radioactive waste?
  
  Unlike nuclear power plants, Heavy-Ion Therapy does not generate radioactive waste.
- Will the facility have an impact on surrounding communities or ecosystems?
  
  No, the facility is designed to operate safely without impacting nearby communities or ecosystems. Radiation exposure outside the treatment rooms is negligible and well within regulatory limits.
- What is the energy consumption of a Heavy-Ion Therapy facility?
  
  Heavy-Ion Therapy requires a high-energy particle accelerator, which consumes significant power. However, we are incorporating energy-efficient systems and working toward sustainable energy solutions to minimize our carbon footprint.

Transforming Cancer Care with Heavy-Ion Therapy