Abu Dhabi DoH, Gilead Sciences partner to propel healthcare innovation and cell therapy advancement

During the 2025 Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week, the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) inked not one, but two major agreements with Gilead Sciences. This isn't just a handshake and a photo op — this is about turbocharging the emirate's place on the world stage when it comes to cutting-edge medicine. With a shared mission to push the envelope on advanced therapies, particularly in virology and cell therapy, the two parties have teamed up to bring tomorrow's treatments to the people who need them today.

In the words of Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH: "Research and development are crucial for fostering innovation and ensuring the sustainable advancement of the health and life sciences ecosystem."

How will it work?

Here's what the partnership is putting on the table:

• Clinical research: New studies and trials to push therapeutic boundaries.
• Advanced therapies: Like CAR T-cell treatments that reprogram the body's own cells to fight disease.
• Improved access: Making sure that cutting-edge care isn't just for the few — it's for everyone.

By signing these Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the DoH and Gilead Sciences are agreeing to pull resources, knowledge, and talent into one coordinated effort. This means real-deal collaboration, not just lip service, with both public and private sectors pooling their strengths.

Vitor Papao from Gilead put it plainly: "By collaborating with leading institutions, we are proud to support Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a leader in medical research and advanced therapeutics backed by a robust knowledge economy."

Why does it matter?

Because this isn't just about flashy science — it's about real lives. These breakthroughs could mean earlier diagnoses, faster recoveries, and better quality of life for patients across the board. And it's not just a win for Abu Dhabi. Moves like this ripple outward, shaping global standards and giving other regions a blueprint to follow.

• New therapies like CAR T-cells are changing the game in how we treat serious conditions.
• Expanding access to these treatments bridges the gap between high-end research and everyday care.

By making healthcare smarter, more responsive, and more inclusive, this collaboration has the potential to transform the very fabric of how medicine is practiced.

The context

Abu Dhabi isn't just playing catch-up — it's setting the pace. The emirate has been investing heavily in health-tech, life sciences, and biotech, aligning with a larger vision to become one of the world's smartest healthcare hubs. The annual Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW) is part of that plan — a powerhouse event that brings together big thinkers, sharp minds, and bold ideas under the banner "Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being."

At the heart of this vision? Community-first care. That means:

• Preventive care: Catching health issues before they spiral.
• Personalized medicine: Treatments tailored like a bespoke suit.
• Holistic wellness: Caring for the whole person, not just the disease.

As Dr. Al Mannaei puts it, "We are dedicated to empowering our community with the tools necessary for maintaining healthy populations for generations to come."