Abu dhabi: The Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Sanofi, a global leader in biopharma and vaccines, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their collaboration in vaccine innovation. This partnership aims to explore the development of a Vaccine Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi.
According to Emirates News Agency, the collaboration focuses on enhancing capabilities in AI-enabled vaccine discovery, mRNA research, clinical development, and manufacturing. The shared goal is to bolster regional and global preparedness for future public health challenges.
Operating within Abu Dhabi's Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, the initiative aims to integrate scientific research, clinical infrastructure, academic expertise, enabling regulation, and advanced manufacturing within a single ecosystem.
The agreement, announced at the BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, USA, builds on the strategic partnership established between DoH and Sanofi in 2025. It leverages Abu Dhabi's advanced integrated vaccine innovation ecosystem, which spans discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation.
Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, highlighted that the partnership with Sanofi brings together AI, scientific research, and clinical expertise to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. She emphasized Abu Dhabi's commitment to creating an environment where innovators can build, test, and scale solutions that improve lives and strengthen health outcomes globally.
Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager Vaccines, Greater Gulf at Sanofi, stated that vaccine innovation is being transformed by AI, advances in mRNA science, and new models connecting discovery, development, and manufacturing. Through this agreement, Sanofi aims to explore with the DoH how these capabilities can accelerate the journey from discovery to patient delivery and enhance preparedness for future health challenges.
The centre will focus on AI-enabled vaccine discovery, immunology, clinical development, mRNA research, and clinical manufacturing. It is expected to boost Abu Dhabi's contribution to global health security and support the development of local scientific talent and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office's (ADIO) HELM Cluster plays a crucial role in the emirate's life sciences ecosystem. By connecting research, investment, commercialisation, and healthcare implementation, HELM facilitates the efficient translation of scientific discovery into real-world impact.