Supercomputer, 200 experts working on UAE third phase of vaccine trial
G42 HEALTHCARE SAYS IT IS PREPARED TO SET UP A MANUFACTURING FACILITY
The world’s first Phase III trials of an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine under way in Abu Dhabi has drawn more than 10,000 volunteers so far.
The clinical trials of the vaccine developed by Sinopharm China National Biotec Group are led by G42 Healthcare, overseen by the Abu Dhabi Department of Health and the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Over 200 experts and a supercomputer are helping accelerate the trials, Ashish Koshy, chief executive officer at G42 Healthcare told Gulf News.
The phase III clinical trials are being operated by Seha, which is providing facilities to ensure the trials are readily accessible to volunteers.
What is its role?
G42 Healthcare’s role is to compute, correlate and provide rapid results by deploying multiple AI models on the data generated during the trials. “The Artemis supercomputer is ranked No 31 in the world, and is driven by an experienced team of data scientists and engineers based in Abu Dhabi,” Koshy said.
G42 Healthcare team
Koshy said the G42 Healthcare team comprises over 200 experts from disciplines such as medicine, genomics, medical imaging, diagnostics, programme
The Artemis supercomputer is ranked No 31 in the world, and is driven by a team of data scientists and engineers in Abu Dhabi.” Ashish Koshy | CEO, G42 Healthcare
management, data science and software engineering.
Manufacturing plans
G42 Healthcare’s agreement with Sinopharm covers the setting up of a manufacturing facility in UAE to produce vaccines following the success of the trials, Koshy said. “The goal is to ensure quick access to all
UAE residents, there are multiple mechanisms on ensuring early market access. However, it is early days now and we can discuss these in detail when the time is right,” he added.
G42 has been active on the frontline of the UAE’s battle against Covid-19 as part of the public-private partnership. In May 2020, G42 Healthcare
launched its Health AI Platform to accelerate diagnosis and drug discovery.
“We have set up a highthroughput laboratory facility [in Masdar City] for Covid-19 and antibody testing, and also to run genomic analysis on both the virus and host genome to understand mutations,” he said.
Volunteer data protection
On the question of volunteer data protection, Koshy said G42 Healthcare adheres to global standards. “G42 Healthcare’s measures to protect data are supplemented by both Seha’s data security measures as well as those of the UAE Government,” he said.
The trial are being conducted in seven facilities in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Several dedicated vaccination clinics are being built at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. There are also mobile clinics.
Koshy said trial volunteers receive a financial incentive to cover travel costs and the time they commit. “However, it is also the desire to be part of the nation’s drive to be at the forefront of finding a cure for Covid-19,” he said.