Beirut, 01 June 2023
The American University of Beirut and its Medical Center sign MoU with Roche Lebanon SARL reiterating their commitment to further strengthen their existing partnerships and explore potential alliance opportunities in the areas that remain uncovered
In line with its commitment to improving the health of the community in Lebanon and the region, the American University of Beirut and its Medical Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Roche Lebanon SARL in a ceremonial event held on May 23rd at the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center (ACC) multipurpose room at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, with the aim to reiterate their commitment to continuing to engage in close bilateral coordination and explore potential partnerships in the areas that are left untackled.
This MoU, which came to fruition as the result of the joint efforts of effective members from the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and Roche Lebanon SARL, emphasizes the determination of the two organizations to implement their operations effectively to explore possibilities for collaboration in the following areas: Innovation and Research, Healthcare Provider and Patient Organization Capability Building, Patient Experience and Support, Healthcare Policies and Medical Tourism, and Digitization & Artificial Intelligence.
During the event, the speakers seized the opportunity to discuss the essential components of a successful plan of implementation while recognizing the significance of addressing the patients’ and the Lebanese society’s growing demands.
Associate VP for Medical Advancement and Communications Ali Taher, the initiator of this collaboration, highlighted the urgency of working collectively, stating, “Now more than ever, we need to work together to create stronger, more resilient and responsive health systems.” Recognizing the significance of fostering partnerships between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, Dr. Taher added in his opening speech, “Collaboration between Roche and the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine and the Medical Center is nothing new. It was built and sustained throughout the years.”
To align their common goals, the first step would be for the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and Roche Lebanon SARL to create a team for each of the collaboration areas in order to set the plan forward. They will enhance their research efforts and work together to pinpoint areas where healthcare provider and patient organizations need to improve their capabilities.
Executive Associate Dean for Medical Education Kamal Badr, said that, “The past few years have demonstrated the dramatic success that can be achieved when industry, academia, and governments work together, exemplified by the global response to defeat the COVID-19 virus.”
Emphasizing the holistic nature of cancer care, Medical Center Director Joseph Otayek stated, “Cancer Care is not a treatment: It is a journey. The American University of Beirut Medical Center and Roche acknowledge the importance of comprehensive support and care throughout the entire treatment process. Together, they are dedicated to ensuring that patients and their families receive exceptional care, guidance, and support at every stage of their journey.”
Additionally, the two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to explore new opportunities for cooperation that would enable the development of health system policies that can improve Lebanon’s medical tourism and make the country’s healthcare system more sustainable, as well as to keep up the pace with the advancement of science through evaluating potential in digitization and artificial intelligence.
The American University of Beirut Medical Center has a proud history of providing top-quality care as the teaching hospital for the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine. It has trained countless medical students and physicians who have made significant contributions to healthcare worldwide. The Medical Center serves over 360,000 patients annually, demonstrating its vital role in the community.
Throughout its 125-year history, Roche has grown into one of the world’s largest biotech companies, as well as a leading provider of in-vitro diagnostics and a global supplier of transformative innovative solutions across major disease areas. Roche believes that life-changing innovation is only meaningful if it reaches those who need it, putting access at the core of its business. Lebanon’s current circumstances present unique challenges, and therefore, Roche works in partnership with stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum to continue to develop tailored solutions that help overcome the barriers and ensure rapid, broad, and sustainable access, no matter where people live.
Vice President for Medical Affairs and Raja N. Khuri Dean Raymond Sawaya, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, “As a global pioneer in Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics, Roche has much to offer in advancing the care we provide our patients at the American University of Beirut. By partnering with Roche, we are extending our horizons in shaping the future of healthcare in Lebanon and beyond.”
On this occasion, Carole Hassoun, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals, Levant, said: “Roche is more than a healthcare company, it is a healthcare partner. To tackle the big questions in healthcare, we often work hand-in-hand with equally passionate partners. Our view is that the future of the health systems on which we all rely is a shared responsibility. Our primary contribution to healthcare is innovation – the discovery and development of medicines and diagnostics that significantly improve people’s lives and support public health – but today, with Lebanon’s pressing healthcare challenges, we are changing the way we work in order to do more to support the sustainability of the Lebanese healthcare system so that ultimately, patients can benefit from medical advances today and in the future.”
This partnership comes as part of the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine and the American University of Beirut Medical Center’s leading vision in pioneering and transforming medical education, research, and practice, and most importantly, medical care in the region, bringing them to new levels of excellence. And this MoU is a testimony to the many years of successful cooperation between the American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, and the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and Roche Lebanon SARL and to their undeniable potential to pave the way for a better, stronger, and more sustainable healthcare system that can potentially create a meaningful, lasting difference to those who need it most.
About AUBMC
Since 1902, AUBMC has been providing the highest standards of care to patients across Lebanon and the region. It is also the teaching hospital for the Faculty of Medicine at AUB (established in 1867), which has trained generations of medical students and physicians, and whose graduates can be found at leading institutions around the world. AUBMC is the only medical institution in the Middle East to have earned the five international accreditations of JCI, Magnet, CAP, ACGME-I and JACIE attesting to its superior standards in patient-centered care, nursing, pathology/laboratory services and graduate medical education.
The Faculty of Medicine has graduated over 4,000 medical students and physicians; the Rafic Hariri School of Nursing provides excellent education for the nursing staff, and the Medical Center meets the healthcare needs of over 360,000 patient visits annually.
About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalized healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.
In recognizing our endeavor to pursue a long-term perspective in all we do, Roche has been named one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceuticals industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for the thirteenth consecutive year. This distinction also reflects our efforts to improve access to healthcare together with local partners in every country we work.
Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.roche.com