Abu Dhabi has further solidified its position as the MENA region’s premier hub for health, life sciences and innovation by successfully concluding a strategic mission to the United States led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate.
The high-level delegation visited key U.S. cities, including Boston, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia in parallel with Abu Dhabi’s participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world’s foremost biotechnology events. The delegation comprised 40 representatives from 12 entities across the Emirate’s healthcare ecosystem. Throughout the week, the Abu Dhabi delegation engaged with government entities, research institutions and global innovators to explore and attract the latest health solutions aimed at boosting the quality and delivery of care in the Emirate and beyond.
Overall, during the mission, 20 strategic meetings and 16 visits to leading healthcare institutions and companies were conducted across the U.S. During BIO, representatives participated in nine panel discussions focused on knowledge exchange, explored investment opportunities and established seven new agreements and partnerships aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced health solutions. Through leveraging the expertise, technologies and insights of esteemed partners, the Department alongside key stakeholders will collaboratively pilot, scale and lead the next era of global heath.
H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said: “In Abu Dhabi, we are building a preventive intelligent health system designed to provide personalised impact at-scale. The Emirate stands as a Living Lab, a global testbed where policy, investment and science converge to build, test and scale solutions for the world. As we conclude our fourth consecutive strategic mission to the United States, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi reaffirms our commitment to advancing the Emirate as a next-generation international health and life sciences hub. This mission stands as a testament to our long-standing, trust-based partnership between the United States and Abu Dhabi. Throughout this visit, our engagements and knowledge-sharing sessions have been data-driven and anchored in collaboration. Together, we are shaping a healthcare ecosystem that not only serves our community locally but is also poised for global impact, driving healthcare innovation and excellence for all.”
The mission facilitated joint actions between DoH and global organisations set to shape the future of healthcare. These alliances reinforce the Emirate’s steadfast dedication to advancing health outcomes through impactful global collaborations, pioneering research and a robust infrastructure that fosters innovation, talent and investment. Key agreements and partnerships were formed with prestigious US-based peers and partners, including the University of California, San Francisco, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Sanofi, Boehringer Ingelheim, Abbott, Aetna International, GEMMABio and Children’s National Hospital. These collaborations focus on establishing genome surgery centres, advancing vaccine development and manufacturing, integrating innovative research platforms and localising pharmaceutical production, while also expanding access to US healthcare networks, developing genomics and biotechnology research centres and launching advanced cell and gene therapy programmes for children.
Representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, the delegation included key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Khalifa University, startAD and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
