Khalifa University and Sanofi join forces to unlock genetic insights into respiratory disease

A landmark collaboration between Abu Dhabi's leading research institution and a global biopharmaceutical company promises to advance precision medicine by studying asthma and COPD in regional populations long overlooked by global genomic research

The convergence of world-class academic research and pharmaceutical expertise has long been the crucible in which medical breakthroughs are forged. Now, Khalifa University of Science and Technology and Sanofi have entered into a strategic partnership to undertake genome-wide association research into two diseases that affect millions across the region: asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The collaboration represents more than a simple pooling of resources. It reflects a deeper recognition that populations across the Gulf have been systematically underrepresented in the vast majority of global genomic studies, leaving critical gaps in scientific understanding about how genetic variations influence disease susceptibility in these communities. By examining genetic variations associated with both conditions in the study population, the partnership aims to generate locally relevant scientific evidence that can reshape how these complex respiratory diseases are understood and ultimately treated.

Khalifa University brings to the table its considerable genomic research capabilities, developed over years of investment in precision medicine. Sanofi contributes its formidable biopharmaceutical research infrastructure and drug development expertise. Together, they will work within Abu Dhabi’s secure Trusted Research Environment, analysing governed datasets from the Emirati Genome Program and Malaffi, the emirate’s health information exchange platform. This careful, ethically-governed approach ensures that sensitive health data remains protected while advancing scientific discovery.

The research promises to identify pathways for further investigation and potential therapeutic discovery by examining the genetic architecture of disease in populations whose biology has largely remained unstudied in the scientific literature. As we have seen with Khalifa University’s broader commitment to advancing scientific excellence, the institution continues to position Abu Dhabi as a centre for rigorous, purpose-driven research.

Prof. Habiba Al Safar, Dean of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Khalifa University, emphasised the significance of connecting population genetics with international research expertise. The study has already received Institutional Review Board approval and regulatory authorisation from the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, setting the stage for rigorous scientific analysis. Findings will be shared through peer-reviewed scientific channels, contributing to the global evidence base whilst addressing historical inequities in genomic knowledge.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This partnership strengthens the emirate’s position as a hub for advanced biomedical research and precision medicine. By conducting genomic research on regional populations, Abu Dhabi develops local scientific evidence that can inform better healthcare outcomes for its own citizens whilst contributing meaningfully to global medical science. The research also reinforces the UAE’s commitment to building capabilities in cutting-edge life sciences, attracting world-leading pharmaceutical companies and positioning the nation’s research institutions as essential contributors to international health innovation.

Beyond the immediate research goals, the collaboration demonstrates how Abu Dhabi’s institutional investments and regulatory frameworks enable partnerships between academia and industry that advance human health. As respiratory diseases remain a significant health burden across the region, developing a deeper understanding of their genetic underpinnings through locally-relevant research offers the promise of more targeted, effective therapies tailored to the populations most affected.

Source: WAM