DoH, M42, PureHealth, Illumina, NYUAD, KU and IHLAD to advance precision medicine in Abu Dhabi

In a sweeping move that could rewrite the healthcare playbook in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is planting its flag in the fertile ground of precision medicine. At Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025, a heavyweight lineup of players — from regulators and researchers to healthcare titans — put pen to paper on a partnership that's as bold as it is ambitious. The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) joined forces with PureHealth, M42, Illumina, NYU Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, and the Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi (IHLAD), aiming to shake up how healthcare is delivered across the region and beyond.

"This represents a pivotal shift," said Dr. Asma Al Mannaei of DoH. "We're building a future-ready model of care." It's not just about treating illness anymore — it's about tailoring health like a bespoke suit.

How will it work?

Precision medicine, at its core, ditches the old-school, one-size-fits-all method. Instead, it digs into our genetic code to deliver personalized care. This partnership is rolling out a framework that'll weave genomics, AI, and cutting-edge diagnostics into the clinical mainstream.

Here's what's on the table:

• Genomic infrastructure: Building a data backbone to support large-scale genome sequencing.
• Tailored population health programs: Designed with Emiratis and the broader regional population in mind.
• Advanced therapeutics: Think gene therapy, cell treatments, and pharmacogenomics.
• AI-powered platforms: For crunching genomic data and delivering custom care recommendations.
• Training & education: Equipping a new generation of doctors and scientists with the tools to lead.

Jacob Thaysen of Illumina put it plainly: "Genomic technology has the power to revolutionize healthcare."

Why does it matter?

Let's face it — most of us want care that's not just fast, but smart. This is where things get exciting. Precision medicine doesn't just treat symptoms; it foresees problems and nips them in the bud. The ultimate prize? Longer, healthier lives.

Dr. Nicole Sirotin of IHLAD nailed it when she said, "We aim to contribute to establishing new global standards in healthy longevity medicine." That's not just a mission — it's a movement. This partnership turns vision into action, shifting from theory to the clinic, from petri dish to patient.

H.E. Rashed Saif Al Qubaisi from PureHealth summed it up best: "We're shaping a future where every individual... has access to predictive, preventive, and precisely tailored treatments."

The context

This isn't happening in a vacuum. Abu Dhabi is going all-in on its ambition to be a global life sciences powerhouse. The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is part of a wider government push under the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week umbrella. With its theme 'Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being', the event isn't just talk — it's a launchpad.

Abu Dhabi's investment is more than financial. It's philosophical. The Emirate is positioning itself as a crucible for innovation, where public and private sectors join hands to reimagine care. "Innovation must be inclusive, data-driven, and deeply aligned with national priorities," said Professor Bayan Sharif of Khalifa University — and that sentiment echoes across the board.

In short, this partnership is the scaffolding for a new era of healthcare. One that's smarter, sharper, and deeply human.