June 2024- The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pfizer Gulf FZ LLC, a global pharmaceutical company during BIO 2024 International Convention. Under the declaration, the entities will work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as leading global hub for healthcare, life science and innovation. Leveraging the Emirate’s unique capabilities and future-forward data services as well as Pfizer’s global capabilities, the parties seek to advance research through the generation and analysis of real-world data (RWD) initially focusing on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and expanding to other disease areas for the benefit of patients locally, regionally and beyond.

SCD is a significant public health concern in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with prevalence rates ranging from 0.24% to 5.8%. SCD can lead to pain throughout the body and serious damage to organs, such as the heart and kidneys. The disease often disrupts daily life, affects patients’ ability to work and substantially impairs their health-related quality of life.

H.E. Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi (DoH), witnessed the signing of the MoU between Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at DoH, and Serhat Yalcinkaya, Pfizer’s Gulf Cluster Lead.

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Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Center at the at DoH said: “The collaboration between the DoH and Pfizer represents a significant step towards harnessing real-world data in the region and better understanding patient populations from the vast available data in Abu Dhabi. By partnering with Pfizer on real-world data, we aim to drive advancements in healthcare prediction, prevention, personalised treatment and access, not only benefiting healthcare professionals and patients in Abu Dhabi, but also contributing to the improvement of care for patients globally.”

Serhat Yalcinkaya, Pfizer Gulf Cluster Lead commented: “It is a significant moment for Pfizer Gulf as we sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health. This collaboration is not just a testament to our shared vision but also a strategic step towards enhancing healthcare innovation in the Gulf region. Through this MoU, we are committed to leveraging Real-World Data initially focusing on Sickle Cell Disease landscape and exploring further to other disease areas, ultimately improving patient outcomes and transforming Abu Dhabi into a global hub for life sciences.”