Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and Novartis Middle East FZE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on genomics research, scientific capacity building, and advanced therapies, with the agreement aimed at translating population-level genetic data into improved patient outcomes across the UAE and beyond.
The MoU was formalised during a visit by a DoH delegation to the Novartis Biomedical Research facility in San Diego, held alongside the BIO International Convention 2026, marking a formal deepening of a relationship that has spanned clinical research, health technology assessment, and policy engagement over several years.
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The partnership draws directly on Abu Dhabi’s Emirati Genome Program, which has sequenced more than 900,000 genomes to date, making it one of the largest population genomics initiatives globally. That dataset forms the scientific backbone of the collaboration, offering Novartis access to population-specific insights that can inform the development of more targeted approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment relevant to UAE communities.
Under the agreement, both parties will work toward strengthening local scientific capabilities through education and training in genomics, data science, and biomedical sciences, while also exploring research opportunities that connect global pharmaceutical expertise with Abu Dhabi’s established precision medicine infrastructure.
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Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, described the collaboration as an acceleration of efforts to translate research into practical solutions, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s ability to bring together genomics, healthcare delivery, and innovation within a single connected ecosystem.
Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of the Novartis GCC Cluster, framed the MoU as a continuation of the company’s long-term commitment to the region, identifying the combination of Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ambitions and Novartis’s scientific capabilities as an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the future of precision medicine in the UAE.
The agreement adds to a series of strategic health partnerships announced from the sidelines of BIO International Convention 2026, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a regional hub for life sciences collaboration and genomics-led healthcare innovation.
