Abu Dhabi DoH, ADIO and GSK to establish the Multi-Omics Research Institute

During the buzzing corridors of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025, something quietly monumental unfolded. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and biopharma giant GSK came together to ink a game-changing agreement. The plan? To build a cutting-edge Multi-Omics Research Institute right in the heart of the UAE capital.

This isn't just another science facility. It's a bold push into the future of oncology, tailored medicine, and global genomics. "We are committed to utilising advanced technologies and scientific research to propel precision medicine and tailored therapies," said Her Excellency Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi. Big words, but the weight behind them is even bigger.

How does it work?

So, what exactly is multi-omics? Think of it as zooming out on biology. Instead of looking at just your genes or proteins in isolation, multi-omics combines it all — DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites. It's a mashup of molecular layers that, together, paint a fuller picture of how the body works — and why it sometimes doesn't.

• Scientists gather these complex data sets
• They analyze how biological systems interact
• The goal: pinpoint what goes wrong in diseases like cancer — and fix it

By embedding this kind of research in Abu Dhabi, the new institute isn't just gathering data. It's unlocking breakthroughs. As Dr. Hesham Abdullah from GSK put it, "This MoU is an important step toward our shared ambition of generating multi-omic data that enhances translational research capabilities and accelerates oncology drug discovery."

Why does it matter?

Here's the kicker: Most genomic data today comes from a narrow slice of the world's population. That skews science and limits what we can do for patients globally. This institute changes that. With Abu Dhabi's diverse population and advanced bio-infrastructure, researchers get access to broader data — and patients everywhere get more personalized treatments.

• A more diverse genomic dataset means better treatments for more people
• Cancer therapies can be designed with more precision, fewer side effects
• It positions Abu Dhabi as a serious player in life sciences innovation

As His Excellency Badr Al-Olama noted, "By embedding discovery-stage science into our ecosystem, we are supporting critical oncology research while reinforcing the emirate's leadership in health innovation."

The context

This isn't happening in a vacuum. The launch syncs with Abu Dhabi Global Health Week — a high-powered government-led initiative themed Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being. It's about looking past sick care and moving toward preventive, smart, people-first healthcare.

ADGHW gathered global minds around four big themes:

• Longevity and Precision Health
• Health System Resilience & Sustainability
• Digital Health & AI
• Investment in Life Sciences

In that setting, the announcement felt less like a headline and more like a mission statement. A declaration that Abu Dhabi isn't just catching up — it's stepping out front. And this new Multi-Omics Institute? It might just be the spark that lights the way.