DOH partners with Sanofi to establish vaccine innovation center within HELM cluster

UAE—The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Sanofi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand their collaboration in vaccine innovation and to explore the establishment of a Vaccine Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi.

The initiative is designed to strengthen capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven vaccine discovery, mRNA research, clinical development, and advanced manufacturing, while supporting regional and global preparedness for future public health threats.

The proposed centre will operate within Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, a strategic life sciences platform that integrates research, healthcare delivery, investment, commercialization, and biomanufacturing.

By bringing together scientific research, clinical infrastructure, academic expertise, enabling regulations, and manufacturing capabilities under onewithin a single ecosystem, the initiative seeks to accelerate the development of next-generation vaccines.

Leveraging AI and advanced science

Speaking about the partnership, H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the collaboration combines cutting-edge technologies with scientific expertise to shorten the path from discovery to patient impact.

She noted that the partnership brings together AI, research, clinical capabilities, advanced manufacturing, and progressive regulatory frameworks within a single ecosystem.

According to her, this approach reflects Abu Dhabi’s ambition to create an environment where innovators can develop, test, and scale solutions that improve health outcomes, strengthen preparedness, and benefit communities worldwide.

Dr. Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager Vaccines, Greater Gulf at Sanofi, said vaccine innovation is being transformed by advances in artificial intelligence, mRNA science, and integrated models that connect research, development, and manufacturing.

He said Sanofi is proud to deepen its collaboration with the Department of Health and looks forward to exploring how these technologies can work together to accelerate the delivery of innovative vaccines to patients.

Supporting global health security

The planned Vaccine Innovation Centre is expected to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s contribution to global health security while helping to develop local scientific talent and expand advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The facility would also support research into next-generation vaccines and improve regional access to advanced immunization technologies.

The initiative comes as governments and healthcare organizations increasingly focus on strengthening preparedness against emerging infectious diseases and future outbreaks.

Through enhanced vaccine research, development, and production capacity, the centre aims to position Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for vaccine innovation and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Spotlight at BIO International Convention 2026

The announcement coincides with Abu Dhabi’s participation at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, one of the world’s largest biotechnology gatherings, which has attracted more than 20,000 industry leaders, researchers, investors, and policymakers this year.

The emirate is using the event to showcase its growing life sciences ecosystem and partnerships spanning genomics, gene editing, AI-enabled healthcare, advanced therapeutics, and rare disease research.

Recent presentations at the convention highlighted Abu Dhabi’s rapidly expanding healthcare and life sciences sector, supported by the HELM Cluster and by one of the world’s largest genomics initiatives, which has sequenced more than 900,000 genomes.

The ecosystem also offers accelerated clinical trial approval pathways and targeted incentives for biotechnology research, development, and manufacturing.

For Sanofi, the partnership strengthens its presence in the Gulf region and aligns with its broader strategy of leveraging AI, digital technologies, and advanced vaccine platforms to accelerate medical innovation and improve access to life-saving vaccines worldwide.