Abu Dhabi, 18 April 2025: In a significant step toward advancing the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in healthcare and innovation, Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a cornerstone of M42’s Digital Health Solutions (DHS) platform and operator of Malaffi, the region’s first Health Information Exchange platform, proudly announces the launch of Cortex&—a dedicated healthcare consulting arm that aims to empower organizations in the UAE, the Middle East, and beyond.

Cortex& is designed to champion sustainable transformation, patient-centric care models, novel technologies, and strategic growth on a global scale. A core differentiator of Cortex& lies in its foundation: it draws from ADHDS’s unmatched experience in designing and executing high-impact national digital health transformation programs in close partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

Its team of consultants includes an impressive mix of senior medical professionals, PhDs, and digital health experts who bring a deep understanding of health system realities and proven expertise in executing large-scale projects from strategy through to implementation. This enables Cortex& to go beyond advisory—delivering real, measurable outcomes backed by robust business cases to ensure sustainability, scalability, and long-term profitability.

Cortex& also responds to a growing demand from healthcare systems worldwide for specialized, experienced consultancies that can help navigate increasingly complex and financially unsustainable models. With healthcare costs rising globally and delivery systems under strain, Cortex& supports organizations in rethinking their approach, embedding innovation, and building future-ready, resilient systems.

Being part of M42, a global health champion powered by artificial intelligence (AI), technology and genomics, empowers the consultancy with unparalleled access to cutting-edge tools, cross-disciplinary expertise, and a global innovation ecosystem—enabling it to deliver transformative, data-driven solutions that are both locally relevant and globally scalable.

Merging global best practices with locally developed insights, Cortex& provides multifaceted support to healthcare organizations, through tailored offerings that span digital health, care delivery optimization, and population health management. The consultancy places equal emphasis on fostering tangible outcomes and leveraging cutting-edge methodologies, including data-driven analysis and strategic AI deployment. By aligning technological capabilities with strategic stakeholder engagement, Cortex& empowers organizations to meet today's challenges and become global benchmarks in quality and innovation.

The official launch took place during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, welcoming distinguished leaders, experts, and visionaries in healthcare. Discussions focused on leveraging technological advancements, forging strategic alliances, and cultivating agile leadership to drive meaningful sector-wide transformation. Key themes included streamlining healthcare delivery, embedding UAE-led excellence in global standards, and shaping systems capable of thriving in a rapidly evolving world.

“We are excited about the successful launch of Cortex&, which marks a significant step in reinforcing our commitment to driving healthcare transformation,” said Mohannad Itayem, Chief Growth Officer of ADHDS and Managing Partner of Cortex&. “Through M42’s extensive network and our expertise in digital health, we are uniquely positioned to provide actionable, transformative strategies that help healthcare organizations leverage the power of data and AI for tangible results.”

For more information about Cortex&, please visit: Cortexand.ae