Doha: Marking 12 years of advancing precision medicine and genomics in Qatar, the MENA region and beyond, Sidra Medicine is set to host the Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics (PMFG) Summit 2026. The Summit will be held from Dec. 7 to 9, 2026 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
According to Qatar News Agency, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine and Executive Chair of PMFG Summit 2026 Prof. Khalid Fakhro emphasized that Sidra Medicine has been at the forefront of regional and global dialogue on personalized healthcare since hosting the first major precision medicine symposium in the Middle East in 2014. Prof. Fakhro highlighted the pivotal stage of advancements in genomics, artificial intelligence, and data science, which are set to transform disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment. The summit aims to accelerate the translation of these discoveries into patient care improvements.
This year's edition will focus on four scientific pillars: Building Globally Representative, Population-Scale Genomic Infrastructure, AI-Driven Discovery and the Regulatory Ecosystems to Govern It, Rare, Metabolic, and Mendelian Disease Genomics in High-Consanguinity Populations, and Translating Genomic Discovery into Deployed, Equitable Care.
Dr. Ammira Akil, the Principal Investigator and Director of Metabolic and Mendelian Translational Program at Sidra Medicine and Managing Chair of PMFG Summit 2026, stated that the summit will address the historical focus of genetic research on a limited portion of the global population. This year's event will gather scientists who are broadening this landscape by building genetic maps that include diverse ancestries such as African, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
The summit will feature experts launching national genome projects in regions like Pakistan, Egypt, Peru, and Ghana, and provide updates on newborn screening programs in populations with prevalent genetic conditions. Artificial intelligence will be a major theme, including its role in drug design, genomic analysis, and disease risk prediction. The summit will also address the governance challenges of AI-driven medicine as it outpaces existing regulatory frameworks.
Live debates will explore the viability of the traditional blockbuster drug model in the era of personalized medicine and assess the reach of population genomics to patients in need. The program includes workshops, scientific poster presentations, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration across research, clinical practice, and technology.
PMFG Summit 2026 is open to a wide range of participants including clinicians, researchers, data scientists, public health officials, policymakers, and industry leaders.