UAE | M42’s National Reference Laboratory has collaborated with digital pathology innovator Qritive to introduce advanced AI-powered prostate cancer diagnostics in the UAE.
The deployment marks a significant advancement in how prostate cancer is detected and diagnosed in the UAE, reinforcing NRL’s commitment to harnessing advanced technology to deliver faster, more accurate, and more consistent patient care. AI is emerging as an important tool to help address these challenges by supporting clinicians with an additional layer of analysis that can improve efficiency, reduce variability, and strengthen consistency in complex case reviews, while keeping final clinical decisions in the hands of medical professionals.
As pathology enters a new era of digital transformation, AI is becoming an increasingly important enabler of diagnostic excellence. At the core of this is Qritive’s AI Prostate module, which digitally analyses tissue samples, highlights areas of concern, and provides structured insights to support faster, more consistent cancer detection and grading. Integrated into NRL’s diagnostic workflow at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, it is expected to support pathologists in identifying subtle disease patterns, standardise interpretation, and improve workflow efficiency, ultimately accelerating clinical decision-making for patients with cancer.
“AI is not replacing pathologists; it is strengthening their ability to make complex clinical decisions with greater confidence and efficiency,” said Dr. Laila Abdel Wareth, CEO – Diagnostics, M42.
“At NRL, we see AI as a transformative force in pathology, one that can enhance diagnostic precision, reduce variability, and empower our specialists to focus on the most complex clinical decisions. In diseases such as prostate cancer, where grading accuracy directly influences treatment pathways, technologies such as those developed by Qritive hold tremendous promise.”
“Beyond its clinical value, this milestone will advance cancer diagnostics and support a more responsive healthcare ecosystem,” said Dr. Shweta Narang, Executive Director Medical & Commercial Operations at National Reference Laboratory.
“By bringing AI-enabled prostate diagnostics into routine practice, we are helping healthcare providers manage rising demand more efficiently, while giving patients and clinicians greater clarity at a critical stage of the care journey. This milestone reflects our commitment to advancing diagnostics and improving patient outcomes across the UAE.”
As pathology enters a new era of digital transformation, Qritive’s prostate AI solution is designed to support pathologists in detecting malignant glands, identifying tumour architecture, and enabling standardised grading in line with the internationally recognised International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) criteria. The platform can also assist in characterising Gleason patterns, quantifying tumour burden, and highlighting suspicious regions on digital pathology slides, providing an additional layer of analytical support during case review. Prostate cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among men and is an increasing concern across the Middle East, with an estimated 50,000 new cases each year. Accurate grading of prostate biopsies plays a critical role in determining treatment pathways, but the process is often complex and time-intensive. In many healthcare systems, diagnostic delays can extend for several weeks, reinforcing the need for more efficient, technology-enabled approaches to pathology.
“We are proud to collaborate with NRL, an institution that share our belief that AI is critical in augmenting pathologist capacity at a time when rising disease occurrences are placing growing pressure on healthcare systems,” said Bruno Occhipinti, CEO, Qritive.
“This deployment reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, technology-enabled, and compassionate care for the region.”
As a trusted leader in diagnostic services, NRL continues to invest in innovative technologies that elevate care standards and clinical outcomes. The introduction of AI-powered prostate diagnostics aligns with NRL’s broader strategy to strengthen its oncology capabilities and position itself at the forefront of digital pathology in the region.
By embedding intelligent technologies into routine clinical practice, NRL and its partners are helping shape a more agile and data-driven healthcare system that is better equipped to meet future needs, while supporting the UAE’s broader ambitions to advance healthcare innovation under UAE Vision 2031 and the Abu Dhabi Health Data Strategy.
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