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HOW OMICS CAN REVOLUTIONIZE HEALTHCARE IN THE MIDDLE EAST


Article
By Dr. Walid Tohme and Dr. Ben Eyck
November 2024
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 1. Strategy&’s proprietary model for infant mortality rate reduction
    calculation
 2. “Human Life Value” method calculation for Saudi Arabia


THROUGH STRATEGIC ACTIONS, SAUDI ARABIA AND UAE COULD CAPTURE OVER 60% OF MENA'S
$1.2 BILLION GENOMICS MARKET BY 2027

In recent years, interest in genomics has been rising rapidly across the GCC.
Already in use in prenatal testing, pre-marital screening, certain cancer
screenings and treatments, genomics is just one of several “omics” sciences that
collectively promise to transform our approach to health and disease. Realizing
omics’ societal and economic benefits requires coordinated action among multiple
stakeholders.

Omics explore the roles, relationships, and actions of the various types of
molecules in an organism’s cells. They provide insights into biological
functions and their impacts on health, and therein hold great promise for our
ability to predict, diagnose and treat a vast array of diseases. Proteomics, for
example, which examines the roles, locations, and interactions of proteins, may
unlock answers to Alzheimer’s disease.

Beyond their potential for improving and managing health outcomes, omics and
their technologies represent a significant economic development opportunity. By
2027, the genomics market in the Middle East and Africa is projected to reach
$1.2 billion, growing with a CAGR of around 10% between 2023 and 2027.

What makes omics so compelling are their power to personalize healthcare.
Prevention and treatment are tailored to the individual’s unique biological and
genetic makeup, offering better outcomes while reducing unnecessary and
ineffective procedures and their associated risks and costs.

Omics can also advance public health. By enabling the stratification of
populations, they can inform government decisions, such as medication approval
and ensuring that treatments align with the individual biological profiles of
citizens.

GCC countries are in the vanguard of those incorporating genomics into their
national healthcare strategies. Saudi Arabia’s newly launched National
Biotechnology Strategy, part of Vision 2030, aims to position the country at the
forefront of the global biotechnology landscape. The strategy entails expanding
the national genomic database, fostering a supportive regulatory environment,
and applying precision medicine to improve health outcomes. Both Qatar and the
UAE have genome-mapping programs, the latter targeting 1 million citizens to
tailor cancer treatment.

Further advances are possible. Through an integrated approach that encompasses
multiple omics, GCC countries stand to gain a more sophisticated understanding
of diseases, especially complex conditions that disproportionately affect their
populations. Multi-omics offers a pathway to identify biomarkers and
therapeutics that are more relevant and potentially more effective for GCC
citizens given their particular genetic makeup. This approach supports the
development of more accurate diagnostic tools, personalized treatments, and more
effective preventive measures. In adopting multi-omics, the GCC could set a new
standard in individual and public health.

In addition to their substantial health benefits, omics and their technologies
offer significant economic development opportunity. We estimate that Saudi
Arabia and the UAE are poised to capture more than 60% of the estimated $1.2
billion market for genomics alone. Strategic investments in genomic technology
and data—such as AstraZeneca’s estimated $840 million four-year partnership deal
with Verge Genomics recently—also reflect the high economic stakes and potential
returns.

TO REALIZE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF OMICS, GCC HEALTHCARE STAKEHOLDERS
CAN TAKE SIX STEPS.


 * 1
   First, governments and regulators should lay the foundation, starting with
   secure data infrastructure and governance, the seamless integration of omics
   in research ecosystem, sustained funding, and sufficient talent. They must
   provide clear and consistent legislation and predictable regulations for
   handling patient data, maintaining laboratory safety standards, and
   safeguarding direct-to-consumer services.
 * 2
   Second, healthcare and public health authorities should proactively collect
   and analyze their populations’ omics datapoints to inform public
   interventions, approvals (e.g., for medications and treatments), and clinical
   guidelines.
 * 3
   Third, research and educational institutions should deepen their study of
   local biology to address health challenges unique to the region. Doing so
   requires establishing clear research objectives, securing substantial sample
   sizes, and using modern laboratories and analytical tools effectively. Omics
   technologies should be included in biomedical education programs.


 * 4
   Fourth, healthcare providers should integrate omics into routine clinical
   practice, offering equitable access to omics solutions and ongoing education
   to medical staff, while ensuring guideline compliance.
 * 5
   Fifth, healthcare payors should develop new frameworks for assessing and
   reimbursing omics solutions, focusing on their health-economic benefits and
   ensuring clinical effectiveness, quality, and transparency. These frameworks
   are crucial for maintaining funding for omics technologies.
 * 6
   Sixth, private-sector investors and companies should establish a sustainable
   loop of omics technology development through significant R&D investment,
   international collaborations, and public-sector partnerships.



TO REALIZE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF OMICS, GCC HEALTHCARE STAKEHOLDERS
CAN TAKE SIX STEPS.


 * Laying the foundation
   
   Governments and regulators should lay the foundation, starting with secure
   data infrastructure and governance, the seamless integration of omics in
   research ecosystem, sustained funding, and sufficient talent. They must
   provide clear and consistent legislation and predictable regulations for
   handling patient data, maintaining laboratory safety standards, and
   safeguarding direct-to-consumer services.

 * Collecting and analyzing data
   
   Healthcare and public health authorities should proactively collect and
   analyze their populations’ omics datapoints to inform public interventions,
   approvals (e.g., for medications and treatments), and clinical guidelines.

 * Deepening local biology research
   
   Research and educational institutions should deepen their study of local
   biology to address health challenges unique to the region. Doing so requires
   establishing clear research objectives, securing substantial sample sizes,
   and using modern laboratories and analytical tools effectively. Omics
   technologies should be included in biomedical education programs.

 * Integrating omics into practice
   
   Healthcare providers should integrate omics into routine clinical practice,
   offering equitable access to omics solutions and ongoing education to medical
   staff, while ensuring guideline compliance.

 * Developing new frameworks
   
   Healthcare payors should develop new frameworks for assessing and reimbursing
   omics solutions, focusing on their health-economic benefits and ensuring
   clinical effectiveness, quality, and transparency. These frameworks are
   crucial for maintaining funding for omics technologies.

 * Establishing sustainable development
   
   Private-sector investors and companies should establish a sustainable loop of
   omics technology development through significant R&D investment,
   international collaborations, and public-sector partnerships.

The potential health and economic benefits of the omics revolution are
profound–and the GCC stands at the threshold of this new era in medicine. With
its genetic diversity, advanced technological infrastructure, and strong
governmental support, the GCC is well-positioned to lead the world in
integrating omics into healthcare and setting a new paradigm for precision
medicine worldwide.

This article originally appeared in Gulf Business, September 2024.


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Dr. Walid Tohme

Partner, Strategy& Middle East

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Senior Associate, Strategy& Middle East

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