In a significant move to bolster Qatar’s healthcare technology landscape, Sidra Medicine has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Builders VC MENA. The partnership aims to create a powerful synergy between world-class clinical research and venture-backed innovation, fostering the development and commercialization of emerging medical technologies.
A Living Lab for Health-Tech Innovation
The collaboration is a cornerstone of Sidra Medicine’s Innovation Lab strategy, which seeks to establish a “living lab” environment within the institution. This initiative provides a unique platform where biotech and health-tech startups can collaborate directly with clinicians and researchers to address real-world healthcare challenges.
Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, stated, “We are excited to embark on this partnership with Builders VC MENA, as part of Sidra Medicine’s Innovation Lab strategy. Over the past year, we have worked internally to set up a living lab where biotech and health-tech innovations can meet and work on addressing real world healthcare challenges. Such initiatives will pave the way for win-win public-private partnerships.”
Bridging Global Capital with Local Expertise
For Builders VC, a global firm investing in foundational industries, the partnership offers its portfolio companies invaluable access to a premier clinical and research ecosystem. The MoU establishes a framework for introducing early-stage startups and advanced technologies into Qatar’s healthcare system for validation and deployment.
Tarik Sultan, Partner and Head of Builders VC MENA, commented, “Sidra Medicine offers our healthtech portfolio companies something rare — world-class clinical infrastructure combined with a research-driven ecosystem where solutions can be validated and deployed with real-world impact. This is exactly the kind of collaboration we came to Qatar to build.”
A Pathway from Research to Global Markets
This strategic alliance is designed to create a clear and efficient pathway for innovations originating from Sidra Medicine to access capital, commercialization opportunities, and global markets. The collaboration will focus on advancing solutions that improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency while enabling scientific and commercial validation for new technologies.
The partnership also reinforces Builders VC’s commitment to the region, which is a partner of the QIA Fund of Funds, further strengthening the venture corridor between the United States and Qatar.
About Sidra Medicine
Sidra Medicine is a private, not-for-profit academic healthcare and research institution for women, children, and young people in Qatar. Established by the Qatar Foundation, it is committed to delivering exceptional patient-focused care, conducting innovative biomedical research, and providing personalized precision medicine.
About Builders VC
Builders VC is a global venture capital firm that invests in companies modernizing foundational industries such as healthcare, climate tech, biotech, and industrial systems. With a presence in North America and the Middle East, the firm partners with entrepreneurs to build enduring companies that drive significant economic and societal impact.
Source: Zawya
