AstraZeneca and Oracle begin AI project to speed trial recruitment

AstraZeneca and Oracle signed a non-binding term sheet on October 20, 2026, and announced a joint push to apply AI, cloud infrastructure and de-identified real-world health data to clinical research. The first program partners with Abu Dhabi-based M42 on hypertension care and research, including identifying people with uncontrolled blood pressure and improving trial recruitment. AstraZeneca brings drug-science, clinical-development and regulatory expertise. Oracle brings cloud tools, AI and hospital data. AstraZeneca said it will not see patient identities. Further projects are planned for the United States, the Middle East and Europe, spanning oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, respiratory and immunological conditions, and rare diseases. Financial terms were not disclosed. Every project still needs its own legal, privacy, regulatory, ethical and institutional reviews. CONTESTED: No factual disputes were found across sources in the record. Additional context from Reuters-sourced coverage: AstraZeneca targets more than $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Chief executive Pascal Soriot said, "This unique collaboration brings leaders in healthcare and AI together at a global scale."