DoH Abu Dhabi, ADIO partner with GSK to establish multi-omics research institute

UAE—The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi (DoH) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) have partnered with GSK, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, to establish a Multi-omics Research Institute in Abu Dhabi.

This partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), a prominent event dedicated to innovation in healthcare under the theme “Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being.”

This collaboration is set to revolutionize genomic science and precision medicine, particularly in oncology research.

The institute aims to provide deeper insights into biological processes and improve cancer patient outcomes by focusing on multi-omics, integrating data from genes, RNA, proteins, and metabolites.

The initiative emphasizes diversification and global representation in genomic research, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a leading hub for life sciences.

The MoU was signed in the presence of key figures, including H.E. Mansoor Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH; H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED; Sir Jonathan Symonds, Chairman of GSK; and Boyd Chongphaisal, Vice President and General Manager of Gulf Countries at GSK.

Additional dignitaries included H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH; H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO; and Dr. Hesham A. Abdullah, Senior Vice President at GSK.

In her remarks, H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi highlighted the institute’s role in propelling precision medicine globally through advanced technologies and high-quality omics data generation.

She emphasized that this initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier destination for life sciences while fostering international collaborations for preventative healthcare and oncology drug discovery.

H.E. Badr Al-Olama described the launch of the institute as a pivotal step in establishing Abu Dhabi as a global center for health innovation.

He noted that embedding early-stage discovery research into the emirate’s ecosystem will support critical oncology studies while advancing biotechnology and precision medicine.

Dr. Hesham Abdullah underscored the importance of public-private collaborations like this MoU in enhancing translational research capabilities and accelerating oncology drug discovery.

 He emphasized that such partnerships are vital for advancing treatments for cancer patients both locally and globally.

The Multi-omics Research Institute will leverage Abu Dhabi’s cutting-edge biotechnology infrastructure to foster scientific innovation in oncology.

 This initiative marks the first time early-stage discovery research will be embedded within the UAE, enhancing diversity in genomic studies and ultimately benefiting cancer patients worldwide.

Abu Dhabi Global Health Week serves as a platform for collaboration across four core themes: Longevity and Precision Health; Health System Resilience & Sustainability; Digital Health & AI; and Investment in Life Sciences.

By convening experts from various sectors, ADGHW aims to redefine healthcare with an emphasis on preventive, personalized, and holistic care—further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s leadership in global health innovation.

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