Clinical Research

Advancing Healthcare Through Innovation and Research

At NMC Healthcare, research is more than a function—it is a cornerstone of our commitment to delivering world-class patient care and medical advancement. From humble beginnings in standard clinical studies, our journey has evolved into initiatives that include, large-scale trials, and impactful collaborations.

200+

Research Applications Received since 2023

20+

Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials

100+

Peer-Reviewed Publications

120

Active Physician Researchers

15.0+

University Research Collaborations

Dr Zaka Ullah Khan

Dr Zaka Ullah Khan

Chief Clinical Officer

"NMC Healthcare's research program is driven by excellence, innovation, and collaboration. By cultivating a strong research ecosystem and partnering with leading academic institutions and industries we strive to pioneer medical breakthroughs that improve patient care. Our unwavering commitment to ethical, impactful research ensures that NMC continues to be a leader in clinical innovation, driving transformative advancements that make a significant difference in the lives of patients and the wider medical community."

Centralised Clinical Research Platform

NMC has established a Centralised Clinical Research Platform that empowers our clinical staff with an avenue to enhance their research skills and offer comprehensive support to conduct ethical and scientifically relevant research.

Our Research Portfolio

From investigator-initiated studies to global Phase 3 & 4 trials, NMC's research spans specialties and methodologies. Our research activities include:

  • Prospective and Retrospective Studies
  • Observational & Interventional Trials
  • Cross-Sectional Surveys
  • Industry-Sponsored Trial

Key Functions

  • Central oversight through a dedicated research office
  • Implementation of a robust research governance framework
  • Coordination of investigator-led studies and industry-sponsored trials
  • Facilitation of academic collaborations and knowledge exchange

Research process at NMC

Research Application Process at NMC for Standard Research

Application Process at NMC for Industry Sponsored Research

Key Focus Areas

Research Governance Background

Research Governance

Research Governance at NMC Healthcare

At NMC, we are committed to advancing medical science through research that is ethical, rigorous, and impactful. To uphold the highest standards of integrity, we have established a robust governance framework led by two central bodies:

Research Ethics Committee (REC)

Research Advisory Group (RAG)

Together, these entities ensure that every research project is ethically sound, scientifically valid, and aligned with both international and local standards.

NMC Research Ethics Committee (REC)

The NMC REC is responsible for reviewing and approving all research studies across our facilities in the UAE. Its mission is to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of participants while ensuring that research is conducted responsibly and transparently.

Research Advisory Group:

Research Advisory Group (RAG)

The RAG plays a pivotal role in advancing research across NMC by fostering, guiding, and prioritising initiatives. Its mission is to support clinicians and staff in developing high-quality research and to promote active participation across all NMC facilities. Each NMC cluster is supported by a designated RAG member who:

  • Acts as a research advisor within the respective facility, promoting research and encouraging active engagement in research activities
  • Guides investigators in selecting research topics, study designs, research proposals, methodologies, and informed consent processes
  • Evaluates proposed projects and provides recommendations on feasibility and resource utilisation
  • Ensures research projects clearly articulate the research question, study purpose, rationale, study design, and methods while maintaining academic validity
  • Demonstrates strong interest in investigators’ research proposals and provides continuous support throughout the research process

Research Advisory Group:

Dr. Wael Hafez

Consultant Internal Medicine - Chairperson (Research)

Speciality: Internal Medicine

Languages: English, Arabic

NMC Royal Hospital Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi

Dr. Emmanuel Abu

Head of Lab Services (Member, Lab Services)

Dr. Ahmed Mohsen Ahmed Ameen

Consultant Dermatology (Member - NMC Specialty Abu Dhabi Cluster)

Speciality: Dermatology

Languages: English, Arabic

NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Dr. Surjya Upadhyay

HOD and Specialist Anaesthesiologist - (Member, NMC Royal DIP Cluster)

Speciality: Anaesthesiology

Languages: English, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali

NMC Royal Hospital DIP, Dubai

Dr. Tasneem Saherwala

Specialist - Obstetrics and Gynaecology - (Member, NMC Al Nahda Cluster)

Speciality: Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Languages: English, Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi

NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Nahda, Dubai

Dr. Abdul Rahman Agha El Kinge

Consultant, Medical Oncology - (Member, NMC Royal Sharjah Cluster)

Speciality: Oncology

Languages: English, Arabic, French

NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah

Dr. Pankaj Nandlal Tardeja

HOD and Specialist - General Paediatrics (Member, NMC Specialty Al Ain Cluster)

Speciality: Paediatrics

Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi, Sindhi, Arabic (Intermediate)

NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Dr. Eulalie Burger

Medical Director (Member, Provita Cluster)

Speciality: General Medicine

Languages: English

Industry Collaborations

At NMC Healthcare, we recognize that meaningful collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry and academic institutions is essential to driving innovation and advancing evidence-based clinical practice. Our approach to industry partnerships is rooted in scientific integrity, patient safety, and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes on a global scale.

Our Approach to Industry Collaborations

NMC actively engages with pharmaceutical companies, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), and medical device manufacturers to:

  • Conduct clinical trials across a broad range of therapeutic areas
  • Participate in global multicenter studies and regulatory trials
  • Accelerate the translation of novel therapies into clinical practice
  • Ensure alignment with local regulatory guidelines and international best practices
  • Support site feasibility, patient recruitment, and real-world data generation

These collaborations are guided by robust research governance, ethical oversight, and operational excellence — placing NMC at the forefront of clinical research in the UAE.

Industry-Sponsored Trials at NMC

NMC has a proven track record in successfully conducting industry-sponsored trials, with:

  • 12 completed pharmaceutical trials since 2022 – 14
  • 9 trials currently ongoing
  • Recognized as the top global recruiting site for 4 consecutive months in a Phase 3 dermatology trial

Therapeutic Areas of Focus

We support a wide range of clinical trials in the following specialties:

Our dedicated research teams work closely with sponsors to ensure high-quality data collection, regulatory compliance, and timely trial execution.

Whether through partnerships with global pharmaceutical leaders or collaborations with top-tier academic institutions, NMC is committed to building a world-class research ecosystem. Our mission extends beyond delivering care — we aim to generate new knowledge, improve treatment paradigms, and shape the future of medicine.

Academic & Joint Research Collaborations

NMC Healthcare has forged strong partnerships with leading academic institutions to advance scientific knowledge and foster innovation. These joint initiatives complement our industry partnerships and contribute to capacity-building across the UAE healthcare ecosystem.

Partner Institutions Include

  • University of Sharjah
  • Abu Dhabi University
  • Khalifa University
  • New York University Abu Dhabi
  • Fatima College of Health Sciences
  • United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)

Current Research Focus Areas

  • Bariatric & Gastrointestinal Studies
  • Musculoskeletal & Chronic Pain Research
  • AI & Machine Learning in Healthcare
  • Airway Management & Anesthesia Studies
  • Precision Medicine & OMICS Research

Collaboration with TriNetX

As part of our commitment to advancing research capabilities, NMC Healthcare is a proud member of TriNetX, a global health research network that connects healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and life sciences companies worldwide.

Through this collaboration, NMC researchers gain access to real-world patient data to design scientifically rigorous studies, identify trial-eligible populations, and support investigator-led research and publications across a wide range of specialties.

In addition, participation in the TriNetX network enables collaborative research opportunities with pharmaceutical and life sciences partners, facilitating the conduct of industry-sponsored trials and global multi-center studies—while maintaining strict compliance with international data privacy and ethical standards.

Partner with us

Research Lab

Join the NMC Research Ecosystem

Are you a:

  • Physician or healthcare professional with a research idea?
  • Sponsor seeking clinical trial sites in the UAE?
  • University interested in collaborative research?

Take the next step and be part of NMC's research journey.

Contact the NMC Corporate Research Team

Centralised Research Platform

NMC's centralized Corporate Research Office serves as the backbone of our research ecosystem. It supports clinicians, sponsors, and academic partners by:

  • Conducting feasibility assessments and coordinating industry-sponsored trials
  • Guiding researchers through proposal development and ethics submissions
  • Overseeing clinical trial operations in line with ICH-GCP and UAE regulations
  • Managing contracts, payments, and compliance in collaboration with Finance, Legal, and Ethics teams
  • Facilitating academic and industry partnerships across all NMC facilities
  • Reporting research activities regularly to regulatory bodies.

For any inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or support, please reach out to our research office at clinicalresearch@nmc.ae