M42’s Imperial College London Diabetes Centre shines as global leader in diabetes research

UAE—The Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), a part of the M42 group, has been honoured for its contributions to diabetes research, cementing its position as a global leader in the field.

Nine of its research have been published in top international publications in 2024, highlighting its commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes.

In announcing this milestone, ICLDC highlighted the publication of their research in several high-impact, peer-reviewed international journals, including the International Journal of Obesity, Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, Obesity Medicine, Diabetes, Metabolism Research and Reviews, and Cardiovascular Diabetology.

According to the centre, its inclusion in these esteemed journals reflects its dedication to rigorous scientific inquiry and its influence on the global diabetes research community.

These open-access publications offer invaluable insights into the effectiveness of innovative treatments, including Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Inclisiran (Leqvio).

These research studies have led to the development of new digital-based diabetes education methods tailored for individuals observing Ramadan fasting and identified potential biomarkers for predicting Type 2 diabetes and its complications.

This not only enhances the understanding of diabetes but also pave the way for more effective management and treatment strategies.

The recognition follows the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) officially designating ICLDC as an “Active Research Site” in 2023.

 This prestigious designation, awarded to only three organizations, highlights ICLDC’s significant scientific output and reinforces its position as a leading institution in diabetes research.

Dr. Mai Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, expressed her pride in these achievements, stating that the recognition is a testament to ICLDC’s relentless pursuit of excellence in diabetes research.

She praised the dedication and contributions of the research team, whose work is vital in addressing the high prevalence of diabetes in the UAE and improving the community’s overall health and well-being.

Adding to its accolades, ICLDC has been acknowledged as the top recruiting site for the international multi-centre research study ADOPT (Asian Diabetes Outcomes Prevention Trial) in the UAE and globally.

 ICLDC’s outstanding performance in the ADOPT study, led by Dr Hani Sabour with significant support from Dr Nader Lessan, Dr Farhana Bin Lootah, and Dr Omar Al Hariri, among others, resulted in the centre reaching its pre-specified recruitment target in under a year.

Due to its exemplary performance, ICLDC was asked to double its recruitment target, further highlighting its critical role in global diabetes research.

Reflecting on these accomplishments, Dr Nader Lessan, Consultant Endocrinologist and Clinical Lead for Research at ICLDC emphasised the importance of the team’s commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

He credited their success to strong partnerships with both international and local collaborators, such as the National Heart Centre Singapore and the contract research organisation RAY.

Dr Lessan also expressed pride in ICLDC’s role as an active contributor to the research community in the UAE, and he looks forward to making additional valuable contributions in this field.

In line with its mission, ICLDC has vowed to continue to raise awareness about the causes and risks of diabetes, the importance of early detection, and the need to accelerate research and innovation.

Through these efforts, ICLDC is dedicated to combating this complex disease and enhancing the community’s well-being.