The Qatar Genome Programme (QGP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and part of Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation, has signed a research and development agreement with Genomics England, aimed at enabling novel scientific discoveries and providing medical insights in genomics and precision medicine.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at the 2015 Building, the QF headquarters, by Dr Richard O’Kennedy, the vice-president for research, development, and innovation at Qatar Foundation, and Professor Mark Caulfield, the interim chief executive and chief scientific officer of Genomics England.
The agreement lays the foundation for Qatar and the UK to develop a joint collaboration focusing on areas of research in genomics that can have a global impact.
“This partnership aims to foster our shared goals for advancement of precision medicine and to facilitate common genomic research initiatives,” said O’Kennedy. “Together we can push the boundaries further towards a new era of medical practice, where genomics can play a central role.”
Caulfield said: “Genomics is a global, multi-stakeholder endeavour transforming healthcare. This collaboration will help expand the legacy of the 100,000 Genomes Project beyond the UK, and will allow us to better serve the diverse population of the UK.”
Professor Asmaa al-Thani, board vice-chairperson of Qatar Biobank and chairperson of the QGP, said: “This agreement will see our two projects benefiting from a strategic alliance and the pooling of research talent and resources from both nations.”
Attending the signing ceremony, the UK’s ambassador to Qatar Ajay Sharma said: “The partnership between these leading institutions in genomic research will, I am sure, make an important contribution to tackling the healthcare challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Kennedy and Caulfield at the signing ceremony.
