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Abu Dhabi, UAEJune 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in Abu Dhabi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sanofi, a global biopharmaceutical and vaccine leader, with the intention of reaching an agreement to advance their partnership in vaccine innovation and jointly explore the establishment of a Vaccine Innovation Center in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration will strengthen capabilities in AI-driven vaccine discovery, mRNA research, clinical development, and manufacturing, while supporting regional and global preparedness for future public health challenges.
In the presence of H.E. Dr.Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Danilo Casimiro, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of External Scientific Affairs Vaccines at Sanofi, Dr. Mohamed Al Ameri, Division Director of Genome and Biobank at DoH and Laurie Gery, Global Head of Business Development Vaccines at Sanofi signed the MoU during BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, USA
This collaboration operates within the Abu Dhabi Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster, aiming to bring together scientific research, clinical infrastructure, and academic expertise within a single ecosystem, enabling regulatory oversight and advanced manufacturing.
H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Through our partnership with Sanofi, we are integrating AI, scientific research, clinical expertise, advanced manufacturing, and regulatory enablement into a single ecosystem, aiming to accelerate the journey from discovery to impact. This collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creating an environment where innovators can build, test, and scale solutions that improve lives for global communities, enhance preparedness, and advance health outcomes.”
Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager of Vaccines for Sanofi in the Greater Gulf Region, said: “We are proud to deepen our collaboration with the Department of Health. Today, advances in AI, mRNA science, and new models connecting discovery, development, and manufacturing are reshaping vaccine innovation. We look forward to exploring how these capabilities can be combined to accelerate the journey from discovery to patient.”
The planned Vaccine Innovation Center is expected to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s contribution to global health security, while supporting the development of local scientific talent, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and next-generation vaccine innovation. By enhancing the region’s vaccine research, development, and manufacturing capacity, the center will help expand access to advanced vaccines and strengthen preparedness for future public health challenges.
This announcement is part of Abu Dhabi’s participation in the BIO International Convention 2026, which will showcase its intelligent life sciences ecosystem and partnerships in genomics, gene editing, AI-driven health innovation, advanced therapies, and rare diseases.
A key enabler of the UAE’s intelligent life sciences ecosystem is Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster, which connects research, investment, commercialization, and healthcare implementation within a single ecosystem.