9 June 2022
| The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a reception in Boston on June 9, 2022, in honor of a visiting Abu Dhabi Life Sciences delegation composed of senior leadership from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, G42 Healthcare, Pure Health, ADQ, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi Ports, and Khalifa University. The delegation’s U.S. visit was arranged under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. This delegation headed by H.E. Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the Department of Health Abu Dhabi – is visiting Boston, Washington, D.C., and San Diego to explore collaborative opportunities in life sciences research, development, innovation, regulatory matters, and bilateral investment. The delegation is also showcasing the strengths and world-class offerings of Abu Dhabi as a regional and global life science innovation and industrial hub. The delegation hopes to better understand key catalysts for establishing and fostering successful life science clusters, like those found in Boston and other parts of the United States. Key U.S. life science companies and health care providers who are members of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council are playing host to the visiting delegation. Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, welcomed the delegation and distinguished guests, including U.A.E. Consul General in Boston H.E. Salem Alshamsi and officials from the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Sebright lauded the growth of the U.A.E.’s life sciences sector, which is of utmost importance to the U.A.E. as the country seeks to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels and develop world class research and technology capabilities within the U.A.E. He remarked, “partnering with U.S. institutions such as the ones represented here today is a key component of this evolution.” Sebright also commended the city of Boston for being home to some of the most well-known and globally renowned healthcare and life sciences research facilities and institutions. |
 H.E. Hind Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Facilities Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi; Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi; Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare; Dr. Omar Najim, Director of the Executive Affairs Office at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi. |
| H.E. Hind Al Zaabi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Facilities Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, underscored the U.A.E.’s pride in its accomplishments, including partnerships that have led to important institutions like Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City – a joint venture between SEHA and Mayo Clinic – being established in the U.A.E. She highlighted the U.A.E.’s myriad other partnerships with U.S. healthcare entities, citing the 10th anniversary of the Sheikh Zayed Institute at Children’s National, as well as collaborations with pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson and Johnson. She also detailed how the U.A.E. has built a welcoming life sciences ecosystem that can serve as a “springboard” for companies to access a fast-growing region, encouraging companies in the room to make a “second home” in Abu Dhabi. Frequently throughout the night she and other speakers highlighted the 400 million person plus global market that can be easily accessed by having a presence in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Sector at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, discussed the role of Covid in heightening the U.A.E.’s focus on developing its life sciences sector. She noted the great enthusiasm among the U.A.E. population to participate in clinical trials, which was an “eye opener for everyone.” She stressed that the U.A.E. is “not sparing any effort” in becoming a global center for life sciences research and development, quoting His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Hamed by saying, “we are riding a bullet train” and “we want you to come along with us.” She concluded that “it is the time for concrete next steps.” Ashish Koshy, CEO of G42 Healthcare, elaborated on Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem and invited those in the room to visit Abu Dhabi and “see how the ecosystem works.” The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council led such an effort in fall 2021, when it took a medical technology delegation to Abu Dhabi to visit G42 Healthcare as part of a week-long mission. Mr. Koshy underscored his desire to explore and conclude new partnerships with American firms. Dr. Omar Najim, Director of the Executive Affairs Office at the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, stressed the speed at which Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem is developing. He told guests that “what they know about Abu Dhabi is not wrong, but it is outdated.” He added, “what you know today will be outdated tomorrow.” The U.A.E. is a global city that is not just following the trends, per Dr. Najim, but “setting trends.” He concluded it has the “regulations, education, mindset, and infrastructure” to be a flourishing life sciences hub. Dr. Najim extended his open hand to the audience as a symbol of the new welcoming approach that Abu Dhabi and the U.A.E. are taking towards those who might want to partner and collaborate with the country in the future. Please see here for the Business Council’s report on the U.A.E. Healthcare sector. For more information on the Business Council’s activities related to Healthcare and Life Sciences, please contact Ameer Alsamman at aalsamman@usuaebusiness.org. |
