#Abu Dhabi #United Arab Emirates #Sanofi #Department of Health

A Strategic Alliance for Global Health

In a significant development in the healthcare landscape, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) has entered into a promising partnership with Sanofi, a leading biopharma company, to accelerate the creation of new global vaccines. This collaboration was officially established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the BIO International Convention held in Boston, USA.

The signing was attended by high-profile officials, including H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, and Laurie Gery, Sanofi's Global Head of Business Development for Vaccines. The agreement was formalized by Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, and Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager for the Greater Gulf region at Sanofi. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the healthcare sector, aiming to leverage the health-tech ecosystem and robust research infrastructure of Abu Dhabi to foster vaccine innovation and bolster regional production capabilities.

Aiming for Accelerated Development

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei emphasized the partnership's goal of speeding up the vaccine development process. The initiative seeks to reduce the time from initial research to public availability, utilizing advanced technological solutions, real-time data analysis, and synchronized clinical trial phases. She noted, "By integrating Sanofi's global scientific proficiency with Abu Dhabi's advanced infrastructure, we aim to establish new standards for resilience and innovation in public health efforts."

The collaboration is strategically aligned with Abu Dhabi's ambition to position itself as a premier hub for biomedical and pharmaceutical research and development. Both the DoH and Sanofi will work to enhance regulatory processes, promote knowledge sharing, and increase manufacturing readiness. This partnership not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also contributes to global health security through proactive measures and technological advancements.

Enhancing Research and Development

In addition to expediting vaccine production, the agreement outlines plans for joint clinical research initiatives and resource optimization. The focus will be on establishing foundational terms for funding and accessibility, ensuring sustainable healthcare solutions are made available to both local and global markets.

Baptiste de Clarens shared insights on the collaboration, stating, "This MoU signifies a proactive step toward strengthening global health security while demonstrating our mutual commitment to tackling pressing health challenges through scientific cooperation. We look forward to exploring how Sanofi's extensive experience in vaccine development can enhance Abu Dhabi's flourishing research ecosystem."

A Mission to Innovate

This landmark partnership is part of a broader strategic mission led by the DoH delegation to the U.S., which spans from June 15 to 21, 2025. During this initiative, the delegation will engage in over 20 high-level discussions with leaders in both the public and private sectors, aimed at knowledge acquisition and collaboration opportunities in health innovation.

Key stakeholders at this mission include the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, Etihad Cargo, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Khalifa University, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI). This collaborative effort underlines Abu Dhabi’s dedication to advancing its position as a leader in healthcare innovation and addresses future global health challenges effectively.

As the partnership unfolds, expectations are high for transformative changes in how vaccines are developed and distributed, significantly impacting public health locally and worldwide. The strategic alliance represents a robust commitment to not only enhancing the emirate’s healthcare framework but also contributing meaningfully to the global medical community.