Research Department

Clinical Trials and Research Studies

  • Overview
  • Enroll in Clinical Trials
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Enroll in Clinical Trials

Below is a list of research areas within which we currently have active clinical trials and research studies. To find out more information about any of these research areas, or to register your interest in participating in a study, please contact [email protected]. Our research nurses will review your information and contact you to discuss your eligibility and enrolment opportunities. Your participation in our studies can make a significant impact on the future of healthcare.

Clinical Research Areas

  • Eye Health Research

Aflibercept Study (A-2024-073 / RE 24-061)

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the medication Aflibercept in treating eye conditions like diabetic macular edema and age-related macular degeneration.

Who Can Join: Adults who are prescribed Aflibercept by their doctor as part of their standard care.

What You’ll Do: If eligible, you will be asked to complete questionnaires and attend routine eye check-ups. All study procedures are part of your usual care.

Privacy: Your identity will be protected.

  • Diabetes & Medication Studies

Insulin and Steroid-Induced High Blood Sugar (A-2022-027 / RE 22-033)

Purpose: To compare how different types of insulin work in patients who develop high blood sugar due to steroid medications.

Who Can Join: Patients who have taken steroids and developed high blood sugar.

What You’ll Do: Answer health-related questions and allow researchers to review your medical records, and collect some data, all information will be anonymous.

Home Insulin Use Study (A-2022-038 / RE 22-041)

Purpose: To understand how patients manage their diabetes at home, especially those who give themselves insulin injections.

Who Can Join: Anyone with diabetes who uses insulin at home.

What You’ll Do: Complete a short questionnaire and allow access to your medical records, your identity will be kept anonymous.

  • Obesity & Metabolic Health

Genetics, Diabetes & Weight Management (A-2022-057 / RE 22-069)

Purpose: To study how genetics can influence the treatment of diabetes and obesity.

Who Can Join: UAE Nationals currently being treated for diabetes and weight issues.

What You’ll Do: Provide a small blood, urine, and stool sample at your routine follow-up visits and allow access to your medical record.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Heart & Circulatory System Research

Inflammation and Heart Disease (A-2024-062 / RE 24-045)

Purpose: To see how chronic inflammation affects people with existing heart disease or heart failure, and if it leads to future events like heart attacks.

Who Can Join: Patients already diagnosed with heart disease or heart failure. What You’ll Do: Attend one study visit where blood samples are collected; and allow access to your medical record.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

HVTI Biobank (A-2025-020 / RE 25-007)

Purpose: To collect blood and tissue samples linked to patient health data for future heart and lung disease research. Who Can Join: Patients with conditions like coronary artery disease, valve disorders, or lung cancers. What You’ll Do: Provide blood and/or tissue samples and consent to review and collect data from your medical records. Goal: Develop personalized treatments and improve long-term health outcomes.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Cholesterol & Genetic Risk

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (A-2021-045 / RE 22-040)

Purpose: To study the inherited condition Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) that causes high cholesterol and raises heart disease risk.

Who Can Join: Patients and their family members diagnosed with FH.

What You’ll Do: Donate a small blood sample and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Radiation Therapy Studies

Wearable Device for Vital Signs (A-2023-016 / RE 23-009)

Purpose: To monitor early warning signs of illness (e.g., fever, low oxygen) in patients getting radiation therapy using a wearable device.

Who Can Join: Patients scheduled for radiation therapy.

What You’ll Do: Wear a small device on your chest at home to track your vital signs like heart rate, breathing, and temperature and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Goal: Improve early detection of complications during treatment.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Lung & Breathing Studies

Exercise Testing in Emiratis (A-2024-016 / RE 23-076)

Purpose: To find normal exercise values in Emirati adults to help doctors better interpret a test called the cardio-pulmonary exercise test.

Who Can Join: Healthy Emiratis.

What You’ll Do: Visit the pulmonary lab for a 10-minute stationary bike test and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history. No blood or samples needed.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Genetics (A-2024-032 / RE 23-075)

Purpose: To study genetic mutations in Emiratis with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare lung condition. Who Can Join: Emirati patients diagnosed with PAH. What You’ll Do: One 15-minute clinic visit for consent and a blood test and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Immune & Inflammatory Disorders

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (RE 24-021)

Purpose: To understand how patients with seasonal allergies use healthcare services during allergy season.

Who Can Join: Patients currently experiencing allergy symptoms.

What You’ll Do: Participate in a brief survey and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

Lupus Medication Study (RE 23-078)

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of the medication Anifrolumab in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Who Can Join: SLE patients who are beginning treatment with Anifrolumab.

What You’ll Do: Answer questions and share feedback on quality of life after starting treatment; and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Link: Study Details | A Treatment Effectiveness Study Among SLE Patients Receiving Anifrolumab in Routine Clinical Practice | ClinicalTrials.gov

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Digestive & Gastroenterology Research

Magnetic Gastro-Ileal or Gastro-Jejunal Diversion (MGI/MGJ) Study

(A-2024-017 / RE 23-054) Purpose: To test the safety, function, and early effectiveness of a new Magnet Device System designed to help with weight loss and improve blood sugar control in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Who Can Join: Adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

What You’ll Do:

  • Undergo a minimally invasive procedure during your planned weight loss surgery to implant the magnetic device.
  • Attend regular clinical check-ups and follow-up visits.
  • Complete trial-related tests and assessments to monitor progress. Goal: Support better weight management and metabolic health in people with type 2 diabetes.

Link: MagGJ System in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes - Clinical Trials Registry - ICH GCP

  • Lifestyle & Chronic Disease Management

Exercise Program for Diabetes & Hypertension (RE 23-068)

Purpose: To find out if a 12-week exercise program can improve health for patients with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Who Can Join: Patients diagnosed with both conditions.

What You’ll Do: Join an exercise group or a control group for comparison, with health outcomes measured before and after. With your consent researchers also will collect data from your medical record about your medical history.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

  • Cancer Research

EP0031 for RET-Mutated Cancers (A-2024-054 / Ellipses Study)

Purpose: To test a new drug called EP0031 for people with RET gene mutations and cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer or thyroid cancer.

Who Can Join: Patients with RET-positive cancers.

What You’ll Do: Receive EP0031 alone or with chemotherapy, and have your response monitored. With your consent researchers also will collect data from your medical record about your current medical status and medical history. Note: EP0031 is experimental and only available through this study.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

More info : Study Details | A Study of EP0031 in Patients With Advanced RET-altered Malignancies | ClinicalTrials.gov

CAMBRIA II – Breast Cancer Study (A-2023-056)

Purpose: To compare a new drug called Camizestrant with standard hormone therapy in patients with early-stage, hormone-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Who Can Join: Patients with a higher risk of cancer coming back after surgery (with or without chemotherapy).

What You’ll Do: Receive treatment for up to 7 years, with regular follow-up, and allow researchers to collect data from your medical record about your current/ongoing health status medical history.

Privacy: Your data will be anonymized to protect your privacy.

More Info : Study Details | An Adjuvant Endocrine-based Therapy Study of Camizestrant (AZD9833) in ER+/HER2- Early Breast Cancer (CAMBRIA-2) | ClinicalTrials.gov

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical research?

Clinical research or clinical trials are research programs conducted with voluntary participants. Each program evaluates a new medical treatment, drug or device with the aim of discovering new and improved methods of treating a number of diseases and conditions. During a clinical trial, new treatments are evaluated against treatments that are deemed the most effective that are currently available.

What are the benefits of taking part in a clinical trial?

  • You may receive a new treatment before it is widely available to the public.
  • You will be contributing to important research that will help us develop improved procedures and treatments, that will potentially help other patients.

Who can participate in clinical trials?

Every clinical trial is designed to study individuals with certain diseases or conditions, and guideline criteria set out to match potential participants to the study. Volunteers who fit the criteria may be required to undergo pre-trial tests to make sure they are appropriate for the study.

How do I consent to participating in a clinical trial?

If you are interested in taking part in a clinical trial, you will be given a consent form, which will outline everything involved in the study. Your doctor or nurse will also explain the treatment, including the benefits and risks and you’ll also be able to discuss any questions you may have. If you decide to take part in the study, you will sign the consent form and keep a copy for yourself. Clinical trials are completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

What questions should I ask if I am thinking about taking part in a clinical trial?

Aim to find out as much as possible about the study before you decide to participate. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse:

  • What is the purpose of the study?
  • What has previous research of this drug or treatment shown?
  • What kinds of tests and treatments does the trial involve, and how long will the study last?
  • What is likely to happen in my case with, or without, this new research treatment?
  • How could the trial affect my daily life, and will there be any side effects?
  • Will the clinical trial require extra time on my part?
  • Will my records remain confidential?
  • Will I have to be hospitalized? If so, how long and how often?
  • If I agree to withdraw from the clinical trial, will my care be affected?
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