Challenges for medical research

Gulf News: For medical research in this region, volume could be a disadvantage in individual countries - how do you look at this issue?

Zaazou: Medical research needs first and foremost a functioning infrastructure of fundamental, applied and clinical research. This is not so much a question of volume as much as organising this collaboration for the selected projects. That needs a germinating point and people who know how to set up a complex international R&D structure.

We have the "germinating point" with SMARD in the QSTP, knowledgeable and dedicated people and many interested institutions not only in Qatar, like the Sidra Medical and Research Centre or the Hamad Hospital, but also many potential partners in the region.

Gulf News: Cultural issues could hinder R&D in medicine. And conservative societies can pose problems - how do you see it?

Zaazou: It will cause problems but we see this also as an opportunity. We know the beginning will be bumpy and obstacles have to be overcome. But when the physicians, nurses, patients and their families see the benefit, clinical research - especially clinical trials - become easier to organise. That is a learning process for both sides. There are huge untapped reserves for clinical research in the region.

In Europe and America, we are facing great competition in this field, which makes it more difficult for small biotech companies to have access to hospitals and patients. I think the advantage of doing clinical research in the region is much higher in the longer run. Not to forget that today's clinical partners are our future customers. We see this also as a decisive tool to enter the market.

Gulf News: What are the challenges and opportunities in setting up R&D facilities in this part of the world?

Zaazou: We have to create something new in the region. Research is a culture on its own. It is like a plant which needs time, patience, fertile ground and good farmers until it starts to blossom. We have all that. That gives us the opportunity to avoid many mistakes that were done in the past in Europe or the USA.

Flourishing biotech-incubators in other parts of the world demonstrate that it is possible to create a R&D community and a biotech industry without having had the advantage of 100 years of research history.