Key Takeaways
- Abu Dhabi Forms Strategic Healthcare Alliances With Abbott, BI, and Sanofi During U.S. Mission. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi signed new agreements with Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sanofi to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital health, and vaccine development, reinforcing the Emirate’s role in global healthcare innovation.
- Boehringer Ingelheim’s OpnME Platform Tapped by Abu Dhabi to Accelerate Drug Discovery Collaboration. A new MoU gives Abu Dhabi researchers access to BI’s OpnME platform, expanding the region’s capabilities in compound research, clinical development, and scientific collaboration with the global biopharma community.
- Sanofi and Abbott Deals Boost Abu Dhabi’s Local Vaccine and Drug Manufacturing Infrastructure. Sanofi’s partnership supports regional vaccine R&D and production, while Abbott commits to localizing pharma manufacturing and digitizing product information, aligning with UAE’s national digital health and supply chain resilience strategies.
This article was originally published by BioPharm International.
New partnership agreements have been announced between the Department of Health of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and Abbott, Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), and Sanofi, concurrent with an Abu Dhabi high-level delegation’s strategic mission to the United States from June 14–21, 2025.1 This included a presence at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention in Boston, from June 16–19, and visits to other major US cities including Philadelphia and Washington, DC.1
Strategic US Visit Highlights Abu Dhabi’s Global Healthcare Vision
The intent of the mission, according to Abu Dhabi officials, is to reaffirm the Emirate’s position in worldwide healthcare innovation leadership, which the officials said is evidenced by its achievements in artificial intelligence, digital health, clinical research, and genomics—the latter area being one in which Abu Dhabi has said it is a leader in its global region.1 During the weeklong mission, the delegation planned more than 20 strategic meetings with both public and private sector leaders in the United States for the purposes of exchanging knowledge and exploring investment opportunities.
“This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose,” Her Excellency Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health—Abu Dhabi, said in a press release.1 “Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the United States to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.”
Boehringer Ingelheim to Support Drug Discovery via OpnME Collaboration
As the mission progressed, the Department of Health made headway on several alliances with major companies. The first, announced June 16, was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BI primarily concerning the granting of access to, and harnessing the capabilities of, BI’s OpnME platform, which makes use of four flagship programs to enable the research community to access advanced compounds, expert networks, and other support and collaborative opportunities.2
Sanofi Agreement to Enhance Vaccine R&D and Manufacturing in UAE
On June 18, Abu Dhabi officials said they had signed another MoU, this time with Sanofi.3 Through this partnership opportunity, the Emirate’s health-tech ecosystem and advanced research infrastructure will be leveraged to drive development of new global vaccines and strengthen regional vaccine manufacturing capabilities, according to the press release.
Abbott Deal Focuses on Pharma Localization and Digital Health Innovation
A third pact was announced on June 19, when Abbott agreed to localize manufacturing of pharmaceuticals in Abu Dhabi, and advance digital health solutions. The Department of Health said this would ultimately strengthen supply chain resilience and foster a healthcare ecosystem which is both sustainable and self-sufficient.4
“Building on Abbott's long-standing commitment to the UAE's healthcare system, this partnership will focus on localizing existing pharmaceutical products, and jointly exploring the development of biosimilars, supported by regulatory alignment,” Mazen Bachir, regional director for Abbott's established pharmaceuticals business in the Gulf, Emerging Markets and Levant, said in a press release.4 “The collaboration also includes initiatives to digitize life science product information through electronic leaflets in alignment with the UAE's digital health strategy.”
References
1. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Reinforces Global Leadership in Healthcare Innovation with High-Level US Visit. Press Release. June 15, 2025.
2. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi. DoH and Boehringer Ingelheim Ink Strategic Partnership to Advance Life Science Innovation Across the Emirate. Press Release. June 16, 2025.
3. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi and Sanofi Forge Strategic Alliance to Accelerate the Development of New Global Vaccines in Abu Dhabi. Press Release. June 18, 2025.
4. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi. The Department of Health—Abu Dhabi and Abbott Unite to Manufacture Pharmaceuticals Locally in Abu Dhabi. Press Release. June 19, 2025.
