Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI, WAM (ABU DHABI)
M42 and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and explore opportunities for strategic partnerships on the Uzbek Genome Programme.
The MoU was signed yesterday during a ceremony in Abu Dhabi between Farhkodjon Tashpulatov, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Health, Shokhrukh Gulamov, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Investments, and Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at M42, in the presence of Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan's Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade.
The partnership aims to collaborate in the fields of genomics, next-generation prevention, novel screening, and diagnostics development in the Republic of Uzbekistan, with projects including but not limited to:
· Developing in-country genomic capabilities to enable an Uzbek Genome Programme and a new level of understanding of Uzbek genetic diversity and diseases;
· Designing, developing and manufacturing locally and regionally relevant, scalable screening and diagnostic tools, to transform early disease identification and prevention;
· Supporting the deployment of genetically inherited disease prevention programmes including pre-marital, newborn and non-invasive prenatal testing, but also expanding to other diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular exercises;
· Supporting the research, development, manufacturing and export of novel screening and diagnostics "made in Uzbekistan"; and knowledge transfer, training, and workforce upskilling.
Through its partnerships with the UAE healthcare authorities and institutions on the Emirati Genome Programme, M42's capabilities in building a comprehensive genetic database specific to the local population have enabled healthcare professionals to identify and address the unique genetic factors contributing to disease risk in the UAE.
Building on such expertise, the partnership agreement between M42 and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Health will explore a build, operate and transfer model for genomics to benefit the Uzbek people by tackling disease, advancing early detection, and supporting the shift of the country's healthcare sector to prevention.
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at M42 said: "This partnership is about building a strong, collaborative relationship between the UAE and Uzbekistan.
"Working closely with the Ministry of Health, we are deploying genomic programmes tailored to Uzbekistan's needs. Our aim is to make a tangible impact on the population's health by introducing cutting-edge genomic technologies and services."
Addressing the broader impact of this partnership on global genomic diversity, Dr. Al Marzooqi stressed the importance of including diverse populations in genetic research.
"A significant portion of genetic data used in research and development, drug discovery, and prevention programmes is heavily biased toward Western ancestry. By enabling genomic programmes in regions like Central Asia, M42 helps to balance the genetic data pool, contributing to a more diverse, globally relevant resource. This will benefit future academic and research organisations, helping them tackle healthcare challenges," he said.
Dr. Al Marzooqi also highlighted how M42 will apply lessons from the Emirati Genome Programme to expedite the rollout of genomics in Uzbekistan.
"We have gained invaluable experience through the Emirati Genome Programme, and we're bringing that expertise to Uzbekistan. Our approach is to implement the latest genomic technologies as quickly as possible, scaling them to meet both short-term and long-term needs. This will require close, ongoing collaboration on the ground, and we're committed to strengthening these relationships further."
Commenting on the agreement, Farhkodjon Tashpulatov, Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Health, said: "Genomic research offers unique opportunities to understand the genetic characteristics of the Uzbek population, enabling the creation of targeted programmes for early detection and prevention. We are proud to be part of a global initiative in genomic research aimed at improving population health and reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
"Through this strategic partnership with M42, we are not only advancing the potential of our national healthcare system but also contributing to global efforts to explore genetic diversity. Special attention will be given to training our specialists and integrating advanced technologies, positioning Uzbekistan as a leader in genomics in Central Asia.
"The signing of this memorandum marks a significant milestone for our country in the field of healthcare. The development and implementation of the programme will lay the foundation for new standards in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment."
