During the BIO International Convention 2024, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) made significant strides in bolstering the Emirate’s position as a global leader in healthcare and life sciences through two pivotal partnerships. In one instance, DoH partnered with Pfizer Gulf FZ LLC to leverage Abu Dhabi's advanced data services alongside Pfizer's global capabilities, initially focusing on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and expanding to other disease areas. SCD is a pressing concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.24% to 5.8%, leading to substantial pain and organ damage for affected individuals.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Dr. Asma Al Mannaei of DoH and Serhat Yalcinkaya, Pfizer’s Gulf Cluster Lead, reflects a shared commitment to harnessing real-world data (RWD) to enhance healthcare prediction, prevention, and personalized treatment. Dr. Al Mannaei stressed the importance of this collaboration in advancing healthcare, aligning with DoH's vision to establish Abu Dhabi as a next-generation health and life science hub. The agreement also emphasizes global knowledge exchange and education of healthcare professionals on real-world evidence (RWE) generation and analysis, aiming to enhance the quality of care in line with international standards.
Similarly, DoH forged a strategic partnership with Takeda Pharmaceuticals during the same convention, focusing on rare diseases and oncology research. This collaboration, endorsed by key figures including Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori and Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, aims to advance clinical research, innovation, and knowledge sharing in these critical areas. By leveraging Takeda's expertise and Abu Dhabi's advanced healthcare infrastructure, the collaboration seeks to drive breakthroughs in rare diseases and oncology treatments, solidifying the Emirate's global standing in life sciences.
The partnership with Takeda includes initiatives such as the establishment of regional advisory boards and expert panels to enhance patient outcomes and address healthcare gaps. It also emphasizes evidence-based practices through the development of treatment guidelines and the integration of Patient Support Programmes (PSPs) tailored to rare disease patients' needs. These efforts are complemented by joint public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives to promote early diagnosis and symptom recognition, ensuring improved access to specialized care and innovative therapies for patients in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
Dr. Ahmed Fayed of Takeda emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership, highlighting proactive healthcare strategies to prioritize patients' needs and foster a supportive ecosystem. Both collaborations coincide with a high-profile delegation visit to the USA led by Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, showcasing Abu Dhabi's commitment to partnership opportunities in research, development, and innovation. The delegation's engagements across various sectors underscore Abu Dhabi's growing influence in biotechnology and its dedication to driving meaningful change in the region's healthcare landscape.
