Emirates Drug Establishment Forges Strategic Partnerships in Advanced Therapeutics
The Emirates Drug Establishment has signed two significant memoranda of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center and Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, strengthening the UAE's position as a global hub for pharmaceutical innovation and advanced medical therapies.
The Emirates Drug Establishment has entered into two pivotal memoranda of understanding, cementing its commitment to advancing the nation’s capabilities in the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced therapeutics and pharmaceutical regulation. These agreements, formalised during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, represent a substantial step forward in cultivating strategic institutional collaboration across the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
The first accord, concluded between Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, and Dr Antonio Alfonso Hernández, Chief Scientific Officer at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, focuses upon advanced therapy medicinal products. This partnership endeavours to fortify scientific and technical cooperation whilst reinforcing the UAE’s position as a distinguished centre of innovation in life sciences. Through the combined expertise of regulatory and scientific authorities, the agreement seeks to support and advance the nation’s pharmaceutical innovation capabilities in this particularly dynamic field.
The second memorandum, signed by Dr Ruqaya Al Bastaki, Acting Executive Director of the Medical Products Regulation Sector at the Emirates Drug Establishment, and Saeed Jaber Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, establishes a framework for enhanced collaboration in regulatory review and scientific evaluation of medical products. The accord facilitates the involvement of specialised clinical and scientific expertise, whilst providing for participation in advisory committees and technical teams, alongside comprehensive training programmes and the systematic exchange of knowledge and best practices.
Both agreements reflect a shared dedication to elevating the efficiency of the regulatory framework and enhancing the quality and safety of medical products throughout the Emirates. By bringing together complementary expertise across regulatory, scientific and clinical domains, these partnerships strengthen institutional capabilities in the evaluation and regulation of medical innovations.
Beyond these formal agreements, Dr Al Kaabi’s participation in the summit included attendance at significant international collaborations and workshops exploring precision medicine, cell and gene therapies, and the integration of genomics and artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery. She also delivered the welcome address at the UK-UAE Collaboration in Wellbeing and Longevity event, engaging international partners in discussions surrounding personalised healthcare solutions and the role of rigorous scientific standards in ensuring innovation safety.
Dr Tahseen Mirza, Senior Adviser at the Emirates Drug Establishment, contributed to discussions on clinical research advancement, examining the regulatory frameworks and contemporary trial designs necessary to foster the next generation of pharmaceutical development within the UAE.
Source: WAM