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ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have partnered with Masdar City to establish state-of-the-art health and life sciences laboratories in order to foster a thriving ecosystem for researchers and entrepreneurs in the emirate.
The partnership was signed as part of Abu Dhabi’s recently launched Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster at Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025 (ADGHW), being held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until April 17, 2025.
In the presence of Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, the agreement was signed by Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, Dr Fatma Al Mulla, Head of the HELM Cluster at ADIO, and Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City.
The agreement covers a number of key pillars, including the development of laboratory spaces within Masdar City that are equipped with advanced technologies to accommodate cutting-edge scientific investigation, and the development of collaborative programmes to attract top-tier researchers and start-ups.
The agreement will also seek to establish partnerships with academic institutions and industry leaders with the aim of promoting knowledge exchange and collaborative research projects, as well as to create incubator and accelerator programmes that support the growth of life-science start-ups. In addition, talent development will be a key pillar under the agreement, with a focus on implementing training programmes and workshops in collaboration with universities that offer internship and research opportunities for students, and institutions that organise regular scientific symposia and conferences to showcase research outcomes and attract international expertise.
The agreement will also emphasise the translation of research into economic value through the development of partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, promoting industry-sponsored research and clinical trials by means of a framework that measures and enhances the economic impact of the laboratories on Abu Dhabi's health and life sciences sector.
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Research and development is the key to driving innovation and sustainable development of the health and life sciences ecosystem, which in turn promotes proactive, holistic care of our communities. With partnerships such as these, we aim to strengthen our commitment towards creating a resilient ecosystem that will fuel the discovery of transformative care models and treatments. This initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s mission to accelerate the future of healthcare not only for the UAE but for the global community.”
Dr. Fatma Al Mulla, Head of the HELM Cluster at ADIO, said: “This agreement signals Abu Dhabi’s determination to shape the next frontier of life sciences. By building spaces that bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and emerging technologies within our new HELM Cluster, we are cultivating an environment where scientific ambition can translate into practical breakthroughs. It’s a step toward redefining how innovation contributes to health outcomes, global competitiveness and Abu Dhabi’s long-term prosperity.”
Under the agreement, ADIO, in collaboration with DoH and Masdar City, will develop a strategic framework to assess the long-term impact of the health and life sciences laboratories on Abu Dhabi’s economic and healthcare priorities, reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global research and innovation hub. ADIO will also facilitate global investment partnerships to help deliver high-impact scientific breakthroughs, and will play a key role in exploring mechanisms to ensure that talent development initiatives contribute to workforce sustainability.
Mohamed Al Breiki, Executive Director of Sustainable Development at Masdar City, said: “This agreement reinforces Masdar City’s role as a cornerstone in Abu Dhabi’s mission to become a global hub for life sciences and innovation. As home to a growing cluster of biotechnology, genomics, and research-driven companies within our free zone, we offer a thriving ecosystem designed to support scientific advancement, cross-sector collaboration, and talent development. Through this partnership, we are building purpose-designed laboratory spaces that meet international sustainability standards and serve as launchpads for groundbreaking research. Together with our partners, we aim to translate science into scalable impact, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s knowledge-based economy and the objectives of the Falcon Economy.”
The strategic partnership between DoH, ADIO and Masdar City to establish labs that meet the international standards for safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in Abu Dhabi aligns with the 'Investment in life sciences: Driving global innovation forward' pillar of ADGHW. It aims to benefit the wider healthcare industry in the region, by fostering collaborations between researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and academicians to create future-ready frameworks for research and innovation.
ADGHW is a major government initiative from DoH and serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration under the theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being'. It places a strong emphasis on community-driven health and wellbeing, with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care.
