On Oct. 20, 2026, AstraZeneca announced that it is working with Oracle to use AI ​and real-world data to identify eligible ‌patients for clinical trials and monitor safety signals, among other measures, as the drugmaker looks to ​improve clinical research.

The collaboration will combine ​AstraZeneca’s drug development expertise with Oracle’s ⁠AI and healthcare data capabilities to support ​patient matching and research. The initial work will focus ​on cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, immunology and rare diseases, and could also support earlier diagnosis of serious diseases

The ​first project will support hypertension research ​in Abu Dhabi in partnership with UAE-based healthcare firm ‌M42. Patient ⁠recruitment remains one of the biggest challenges in clinical research, with delayed enrolment often extending trial timelines and increasing development costs

Incorrect ​trial designs ​have also ⁠hurt AstraZeneca in the past, with delays on its breast cancer drug ​and nerve disorder treatment failure causing ​some ⁠worries. AstraZeneca is seeking to expand its medicine portfolio as it targets over $80 billion in annual revenue by ⁠2030, ​and works to address ​industry bottlenecks in drug development.