As advances in genomics continue to transform healthcare, the next frontier lies in translating scientific discoveries into therapies that can improve and save lives. Building on one of the world's largest population genomics programmes through the Emirati Genome Program (EGP), Abu Dhabi is strengthening the ecosystem required to accelerate the development, testing, and clinical translation of gene-editing therapies for rare and inherited diseases.
As part of its strategic mission to the United States, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) announced three strategic agreements designed to strengthen the development, clinical translation, and future manufacturing of gene-editing therapies for rare and inherited diseases. Together, the partnerships with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Mammoth Biosciences, and Arbor Biotechnologies contribute key components of Abu Dhabi's gene-editing ecosystem, spanning clinical research, scientific expertise, advanced therapeutics, and future manufacturing capabilities.
What positions Abu Dhabi uniquely in this field is the combination of population-scale genomics, integrated healthcare infrastructure, advanced research capabilities, and an enabling regulatory environment. Together, these assets create a connected ecosystem capable of accelerating the pathway from genomic discovery to clinical application and patient impact.
Together with the Emirati Genome Program, these capabilities create a powerful foundation for identifying genetic diseases earlier, understanding their prevalence at population scale, and accelerating the development of more targeted therapies.
Collectively, these collaborations reinforce Abu Dhabi's progression from population-scale genomics to next-generation therapies and further strengthen the emirate's Intelligent Life Sciences ecosystem. They bring together research, healthcare, regulation, investment, and innovation to accelerate the development of advanced therapies and improve outcomes for patients with rare and inherited diseases.
Through a strategic collaboration with M42 and Mammoth Biosciences, Abu Dhabi is advancing gene-editing therapies, clinical research, and advanced therapy manufacturing capabilities. Leveraging insights generated through the Emirati Genome Program. The collaboration will support the development of next-generation treatments for inherited diseases while expanding Abu Dhabi's capabilities across clinical research, advanced therapy manufacturing, and scientific innovation.
DoH has also signed an MoU with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to strengthen capabilities in gene editing and rare disease care. The collaboration will focus on advancing expertise in innovative gene-editing approaches for rare diseases, including liver metabolic disorders, genetic clotting disorders, urea cycle disorders and central nervous system conditions. It will also support the continued development of specialised clinical and scientific capabilities required to advance the application of gene-editing therapies within the region.
In addition, DoH and Arbor Biotechnologies have agreed to explore opportunities to advance gene-editing research and clinical development, support the development of innovative therapies for rare and inherited diseases, strengthen scientific and clinical capabilities, and assess future opportunities related to advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing. The collaboration further expands Abu Dhabi's ability to support the full lifecycle of advanced therapies, from research and development through to future clinical application.
A key enabler of this ecosystem is Abu Dhabi Investment Office's (ADIO) Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, which connects research, investment, commercialization, and healthcare implementation within a single environment. By bringing together innovators, researchers, investors, and healthcare providers, HELM helps accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world impact.
The multi-city visit will span San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Throughout the mission, the delegation will engage with US government entities, academic research institutions, biotechnology companies, and industry leaders to explore collaboration opportunities across AI-enabled drug discovery, gene editing, gene therapies for rare and inherited diseases, healthy longevity, and advanced therapeutics.
Representing the breadth of Abu Dhabi's health, investment, and innovation ecosystem, DoH's high-level delegation to the United States includes stakeholders from ADIO, M42, Hub71, New York University Abu Dhabi, Masdar City, Khalifa University, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi, PureHealth, Mubadala Bio, Arcera, and the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi.
