Abu Dhabi launches HELM cluster to become global biotech and health hub

UAE—Abu Dhabi has officially launched the Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster, a major new initiative designed to position the emirate as a leading global hub for biotechnology, MedTech, and digital health innovation.

This ambitious project was announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, created by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

It represents a significant step in the emirate’s strategy to diversify its economy and enhance healthcare globally.

The HELM cluster brings together research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization under one integrated platform.

 Its mission is to accelerate the creation and deployment of advanced health and life science solutions, ranging from AI-powered diagnostics and pharmaceutical manufacturing to gene therapies and precision medicine.

By fostering an environment where global companies can turn scientific breakthroughs into scalable, patient-focused solutions, Abu Dhabi aims to deliver lasting benefits to populations worldwide.

A key advantage of the HELM cluster lies in Abu Dhabi’s world-class infrastructure, progressive regulatory environment, and strategic geographic location.

These factors, combined with a multicultural talent pool and advanced biomanufacturing facilities, make the emirate an attractive launchpad for life sciences companies seeking to expand internationally.

The cluster is also designed to support the development of an AI ecosystem and attract global healthcare companies focused on medical technologies and genomics.

According to His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the HELM cluster will provide both global and local stakeholders access to cutting-edge technologies, top-tier infrastructure, and forward-thinking regulatory frameworks.

He emphasized that by building a globally competitive life sciences hub, Abu Dhabi is not only accelerating economic growth and diversification but also ensuring it remains at the forefront of developing breakthrough healthcare solutions that benefit humanity.

The cluster is strategically designed to address some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, such as chronic and non-communicable diseases, which account for over 70% of global deaths, and the healthcare needs of aging populations.

 By tapping into the rapidly growing global healthcare market, projected to reach $25.3 trillion by 2045, Abu Dhabi is seizing significant growth opportunities.

By 2045, the HELM cluster is expected to contributeUS$25.6 billion (AED 94 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, attract US$11.5 billion (AED 42 billion) in investment, and create 30,000 high-value jobs.

These outcomes will support the emirate’s economic diversification while enabling long-term global health impact.

In addition, Abu Dhabi’s leadership in precision medicine and its commitment to innovation are further strengthened by the presence of one of the world’s largest national genomics programs.

This supports research and development by leveraging a uniquely diverse genomic landscape, which helps accelerate innovation and advance personalized treatments.

The HELM cluster is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader vision to lead in emerging industries.

 It follows the successful launches of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster in 2023, focusing on smart urban mobility, and the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster in 2024, which targets food security and water sustainability.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.