Doha, Qatar: Sidra Medicine, part of Qatar Foundation, has announced the launch of a Clinical Trials Program aimed at offering new hope to children with rare and complex diseases in the Arab region. This initiative will focus on personalized treatment options for rare genetic conditions, positioning Sidra Medicine as a leader in pediatric healthcare and clinical research.

Dr. Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine, highlighted the importance of the program, noting it will expand treatment options for children and advance new therapies. The trials will address rare conditions such as Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI), Type 1 Diabetes, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and pediatric cancers, providing early access to groundbreaking treatments.

With support from global healthcare partners, Sidra Medicine's program is set to address the lack of research on Arab populations. According to Prof. Khalid A. Fakhro, Chief Research Officer, the initiative will help close the data gap, building a robust knowledge base to enable more effective and personalized treatments for children in the region.

Dr. Chiara Cugno, Director of Advanced Cell Therapy, emphasized that the program will focus on children of Arab, African-Arab, and Persian-Arab ancestry, ensuring these populations are considered from the earliest stages of drug testing. Sidra Medicine is committed to providing families in Qatar with opportunities to participate in clinical trials locally, reducing the need for relocation abroad for treatments.