UAE becomes third nation to approve innovative diabetes treatment as EDE expands therapeutic arsenal

The Emirates Drug Establishment has granted regulatory approval for Foundayo, an oral once-daily therapy, to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, positioning the UAE among the world's earliest adopters of this GLP-1 receptor agonist.

The Emirates Drug Establishment has taken a significant step in expanding treatment options for type 2 diabetes by approving Foundayo (orforglipron) for therapeutic use in adults with the condition. The approval, granted in November 2026, makes the UAE the third country globally to clear the medicine for this indication, underscoring the nation’s position at the vanguard of pharmaceutical innovation and regulatory excellence.

Foundayo represents a distinctive approach to diabetes management. As an oral, non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, it is administered once daily without the constraints of food or water restrictions, offering patients a streamlined treatment regimen. Beyond its primary function of improving blood glucose control, the medicine supports sustained weight management when used as part of a physician-supervised treatment plan that incorporates appropriate dietary measures and physical activity.

The approval builds upon earlier regulatory progress: the Emirates Drug Establishment had previously approved Foundayo for weight management in April 2026, demonstrating the establishment’s agile approach to recognising therapeutic versatility. As the UAE continues to chart ambitious growth in the pharmaceutical sector, with 942 product approvals recorded in the first half of 2026 alone, this decision reflects the establishment’s commitment to delivering high-value innovative treatments to the community.

The regulatory pathway reflects the Emirates Drug Establishment’s strategic commitment to establishing an advanced, proactive pharmaceutical system grounded in efficiency and regulatory excellence. These efforts serve a broader purpose: facilitating access to transformative medicines, expanding therapeutic choices, and improving health outcomes for members of the community. By broadening the arsenal against chronic diseases, the establishment reinforces the UAE’s leadership in vital sectors and strengthens its global competitiveness in pharmaceutical innovation.

The Emirates Drug Establishment underscores the importance of understanding type 2 diabetes as a condition requiring vigilance. Early detection through regular screening, consistent medical follow-up and comprehensive disease management remain essential to mitigating complications and optimising long-term health outcomes. This approval exemplifies how regulatory decisions can translate into tangible improvements in chronic disease management across the population.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The approval of Foundayo signals Abu Dhabi’s commitment to ensuring residents have timely access to the world’s most sophisticated treatment options. Type 2 diabetes affects significant numbers within the UAE population, and expanding the therapeutic toolkit with once-daily oral formulations that support both glycaemic control and weight management represents a meaningful advance in disease management and quality of life for patients.

This regulatory milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a hub for pharmaceutical excellence and forward-thinking healthcare governance. By positioning the UAE among the earliest adopters of innovative treatments, the Emirates Drug Establishment continues to demonstrate that regulatory leadership and public health advancement work in concert, ensuring the emirate remains at the forefront of global healthcare progress.

Source: UAE News Agency (WAM)