AC Health is moving into clinical research, partnering with AstraZeneca Philippines to develop Healthway hospitals as potential clinical-trial sites and expand the country’s capacity to conduct studies beyond traditional research centers.
The memorandum of understanding marks AstraZeneca Philippines’ first partnership with an integrated hospital network for clinical research, giving the drugmaker access to AC Health’s growing network as a potential platform for clinical trials.
Under the agreement, Healthway will assess the infrastructure, clinical capabilities, and readiness of participating hospitals, identify potential trial sites, and support capacity building. AstraZeneca will provide technical expertise and training, assist with site readiness and accreditation, and match potential studies with facilities suited to their requirements.
For AC Health, the partnership adds a new capability to its healthcare platform by developing the capacity of its hospitals, physicians, and clinical teams to participate directly in medical research.
“Beyond introducing new technologies and programs, we are building the capabilities that will allow our hospitals and physicians to participate directly in clinical research,” AC Health Chief Strategy and Investment Officer RJ Recio said.
The network’s geographic reach could also help bring clinical research beyond the country’s traditional trial centers. Healthway operates facilities across Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, potentially giving pharmaceutical companies access to a broader pool of patients and research sites.
The initiative also complements AC Health’s broader strategy of building an integrated healthcare ecosystem spanning hospitals and clinics, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical importation and distribution.
For AstraZeneca, the tie-up could expand its pipeline of qualified research sites as it increases its clinical research footprint in the Philippines. The company currently has more than 30 ongoing local clinical trials and has invested more than P3 billion in Philippine clinical research over the past six years.
The partnership therefore goes beyond adding another service to AC Health’s portfolio. It positions its hospital network to become part of the country’s clinical research infrastructure, potentially creating new opportunities for patients, physicians, and institutions while giving drugmakers more local capacity for trials.
