Inocras, a bioinformatics company focused on whole genome analysis, has entered a strategic collaboration with M42, a global healthcare company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The agreement was announced during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit held October 20 to 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The partnership will bring Inocras' minimal residual disease blood test, MRDVision, to the United Arab Emirates to monitor molecular signals of cancer recurrence after treatment.
A Partnership for Genomic Cancer Monitoring
M42 operates more than 480 facilities across 26 countries and integrates artificial intelligence, technology, and genomics into healthcare delivery. Inocras provides whole genome data and automated analysis through oncology and rare disease platforms from a CLIA/CAP certified laboratory. Together, the two organizations will focus on detecting residual cancer signals after treatment, extending precision medicine into long-term patient management.
Why Post-Treatment Monitoring Matters
Cancer follow-up care is considered as critical as the initial treatment because some cancers can return months or years later. Standard imaging may not reveal recurrence until the disease has progressed to a visible stage. Blood-based molecular monitoring offers a way to identify tumor-derived signals earlier, giving clinicians more time to plan follow-up care or intervene early.
How MRDVision Works
MRDVision begins with whole genome sequencing of a patient's tumor tissue to identify cancer-specific genetic alterations. The test then traces extremely small amounts of tumor DNA that remain in the bloodstream after treatment. Because it targets thousands to tens of thousands of variants without requiring custom panels, MRDVision can detect tumor DNA at single-digit parts per million levels.
Pilot Program Targets High-Risk Breast Cancer
The collaboration will start with a pilot program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for breast cancer patients with elevated early recurrence risk. It will include patients with triple-negative breast cancer and HER2-positive breast cancer, two subtypes known for aggressive behavior. The pilot will gather real-world performance data from the UAE clinical environment to support broader evaluation.
Building Local Evidence and Testing Capacity
After the initial pilot, M42 plans to assess performing the MRD test directly in its own UAE laboratories. The partners intend to collect local data on both clinical performance and health economic benefits to support regulatory and clinical adoption. This evidence will help embed MRD testing into the UAE healthcare system's breast cancer care pathway over time.
Executive Perspectives
David Kavanagh, Head of Omics at M42, said the organization is building a genomic cancer care pathway that spans genetic risk identification, treatment decisions, and post-treatment management. Stephen Grobmyer, Chief of the Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, noted that tumor-informed blood tests can capture molecular signals before imaging confirms recurrence. Inocras CEO Jehee Suh added that the standardized test process will help generate local evidence quickly and could allow UAE patients to benefit sooner.
About the Partners
M42 was formed in 2023 through the integration of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health, and its network includes Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Danat Al Emirat, and the Abu Dhabi Biobank. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a multidisciplinary hospital with 406 beds and is designated as a Center of Excellence for breast cancer by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. Inocras operates a CLIA/CAP certified laboratory and collaborates with hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions worldwide.
The collaboration marks a step toward making genomic insights useful beyond diagnosis and treatment, extending them into post-treatment monitoring. By combining clinical research with local testing capability, Inocras and M42 aim to establish cancer monitoring as a sustainable service in the UAE. This could enable earlier detection of recurrence and more informed clinical decisions for patients during follow-up care.