Healthcare innovation is essential for boosting healthcare systems worldwide. For innovative ideas, research is key. Today, countless startups in the healthcare sector are developing innovative ideas through collaborative research. To explore this topic further, MedEdge MEA conducted an exclusive interview with Dr Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH). Here is the insightful interview article.

MedEdge MEA: How do you see the role of innovation evolving within the healthcare sector today?

Dr Asma Al Mannaei: Innovation is at the heart of modern healthcare evolution. At the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), we are championing a transformative vision where healthcare extends beyond treatment to become a cornerstone of societal well-being. Our efforts focus on harnessing cutting-edge technologies that push the boundaries of healthcare, making it more precise, accessible, and responsive to patient needs, in line with recent global advancements.

As a progressive healthcare ecosystem, Abu Dhabi fosters agility and supports pioneering ideas, particularly from startups, which often drive significant advancements. By creating an environment that welcomes innovation, we are actively contributing to a future where healthcare solutions evolve in real-time, addressing not only immediate health challenges in the Emirate but also setting a standard globally.

ME: What are the key priorities for the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi when it comes to advancing healthcare?

Dr. Asma: Our focus is to establish Abu Dhabi as a global hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation, especially in emerging fields like personalized medicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and genomics. Our regulatory advancements over the past few years reflect this goal, from streamlined R&D pathways to collaborative MOUs with leaders like the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. These partnerships aim to accelerate translational research, turning scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions, especially in groundbreaking areas like cell and gene therapy.

Our focus is not on competing globally but on complementing international discoveries by advancing areas such as cell and gene therapy.

Locally, our alliances with institutions such as Khalifa University and New York University Abu Dhabi, alongside collaborations with the Advanced Technology Research Council, have positioned Abu Dhabi as a thriving hub for life sciences. These relationships drive our mission to bridge the gap between research and implementation, focusing on rapid and effective translational research.

ME: How are health-tech startups driving transformative innovations within the healthcare industry?

Dr. Asma: Startups are the catalysts of healthcare innovation, often making the first leaps into emerging technologies. DoH has prioritized creating a solid foundation for these innovators through initiatives like our health information exchange platform, Malaffi, and partnerships under the Emirati Genome Programme. These resources offer startups access to invaluable data, empowering them to make discoveries that address specific healthcare needs.

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Our ongoing collaborations with industry leaders, such as our recent partnerships with multinational pharmaceutical companies, the Hub71 initiative, and the launch of HealthX program with startAD, allow startups to connect to an extensive network. This foundation has attracted cohorts of high-potential startups, including advanced generative AI companies. These companies are contributing valuable solutions to Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem.

ME: What collaborations have been most influential in promoting the development of health-tech solutions in Abu Dhabi?

Dr. Asma: Building a thriving ecosystem requires continuous collaboration. Every phase of a startup’s journey—ideation, prototyping, and commercialization—benefits from strategic partnerships. Our efforts have focused on connecting local talent with global networks, illustrated by collaborations with startAD HealthX, Hub71, AstraZeneca’s Cryosphere, and Roche’s A. Catalyst network.

These partnerships enable healthcare startups to transform ideas into actionable solutions while benefiting from Abu Dhabi’s supportive regulatory framework and technical infrastructure.

ME: What are your thoughts on AI and machine learning shaping the future of health-tech startups?

Dr. Asma: AI and machine learning are integral to the future of healthcare, transforming research and healthcare management. From AI-assisted diagnostics to the use of large language models for clinical guidelines, these technologies speed up research and improve healthcare delivery. In Abu Dhabi, we have embraced AI as a driver of innovation, demonstrated by our early adoption of telehealth policies and support for AI in genomics research, which enhances our capabilities in personalized medicine.

ME: What practical advice would you offer to new health-tech entrepreneurs aiming to disrupt healthcare?

Dr Asma: To aspiring health-tech entrepreneurs, my advice is to stay resilient, maintain a sharp focus on real-world problems, and build relationships within the startup ecosystem. Growth in healthcare innovation is both vertical—through focused expertise—and horizontal, expanding influence by partnering with other startups. In Abu Dhabi’s collaborative environment, startups can maximize their impact by connecting with peers, leveraging shared resources, and contributing to a global wave of healthcare transformation.