Abu Dhabi's HELM cluster a big leap towards AI-driven healthcare
23 Apr 2025 00:27
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is putting AI to work to help people live longer and healthier lives through software-driven diagnostics, predictive disease progression modelling, and tailored treatments.
At the helm of this transformation is the newly launched Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.Aletihad sat down with a key figure behind the initiative to explore what HELM truly means for the future of healthcare in Abu Dhabi and beyond. This exclusive interview with Dr. Fatma Al Mulla, Head of HELM Cluster, goes beyond the headlines to uncover the strategy, infrastructure, and motivations driving Abu Dhabi's investment in life sciences.'Through the Digital Health and AI Hub, we are supporting companies working on everything from SaMD (software as a medical device) and digital therapeutics to remote diagnostics. These are real applications with measurable outcomes, and we are backing them with the right combination of regulation, capital, and clinical access,' Dr. Al Mulla explained.The cluster is also exploring ways to leverage AI in order to make clinical trials more efficient and help hospitals run more smoothly.'It's not just about new tech, it's about making healthcare more responsive, personalised and sustainable,' said Dr. Al Mulla.'Backed by strong regulatory frameworks and access to AI-ready genomic and health datasets, Abu Dhabi provides a unique testbed for deploying scalable digital health solutions," she said.Notably, the Department of Health was the first in the MENA region to launch an AI policy for healthcare – a critical signal for companies seeking regulatory clarity, she said.'Through HELM, Abu Dhabi has the potential to become the go-to hub in the Middle East for healthy longevity, chronic disease management and innovative preventive care, not just because of our infrastructure, but because of our mindset. We move fast, we collaborate well, and we think long-term,' Dr. Al Mulla added.Economic ImpactDr. Al Mulla noted that the cluster marks a pivotal step towards building a future-ready economy – one rooted in knowledge, innovation, and long-term resilience.'The HELM Cluster exemplifies how ADIO is spearheading economic transformation through targeted cluster development. We've been working toward strengthening our knowledge economy, driving innovation and creating sustainable, export-driven industries,' she said.'HELM is a big step forward for us…In many ways, it combines everything Abu Dhabi has been investing in over the past decade: world-class infrastructure, policy flexibility, and a deep belief in the power of science to solve real problems.'Within five years, HELM aims to establish a global reputation for driving innovation and delivering real-world impact.'This cluster is part of a broader shift. It moves Abu Dhabi to being a source of solutions, where treatments are developed, tested, and commercialised, all within a single ecosystem,' Dr. Al Mulla said.Economic ImpactBy 2045, HELM is expected to contribute Dh94 billion to Abu Dhabi's GDP, attract Dh42 billion in investment, and generate over 30,000 high-value jobs. But, according to Dr. Al Mulla, the true value lies beyond the numbers.'We are building a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem that will accelerate drug discovery, strengthen clinical trials, and bring digital and personalised health solutions to market faster,' she explained.The goal is to support not just local health outcomes but also global healthcare systems, which are under growing pressure from chronic disease and ageing populations, she added.'Success for us is measured not just in economic impact, but in the acceleration of new diagnostics, therapies, and health technologies.'End-to-End Infrastructure for InnovationDr. Al Mulla noted that HELM has been designed to integrate every element needed to take healthcare innovation from the lab to the patient.That includes a bioscience park, advanced manufacturing centres, and clinical trial platforms, along with specialised research facilities for diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and genomics.'Together, they create an end-to-end platform from discovery to delivery, underpinned by a strong regulatory and clinical trials infrastructure,' she said.HELM also helps remove barriers that slow the lifecycle of medical innovation by connecting researchers, technologists, regulators and investors side by side.'That means shorter development cycles, smarter diagnostics and better patient outcomes,' Dr. Al Mulla said.The cluster benefits from strong partnerships with entities such as Hub71 and the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, along with top-tier academic institutions like MBZUAI, NYU Abu Dhabi and Khalifa University.'That web of connections will keep innovation flowing, enabling next-gen drug discovery and development at scale,' Dr. Al Mulla added.Behind the scenes, support services such as streamlined regulatory review, IP protection, access to datasets, and strategic investment mechanisms further differentiate HELM from other clusters.One of the cluster's most powerful assets is the Genomics Oasis built on initiatives like the Emirati Genome Programme and data-sharing platforms such as Malaffi. With approximately over 650,000 samples already collected, Dr. Al Mulla pointed out that Abu Dhabi now offers one of the most diverse and comprehensive genomic datasets in the world, enabling breakthroughs in precision medicine, predictive diagnostics, and AI model training.Attracting Top TalentAccording to Dr. Al Mulla, HELM is investing heavily in education, training and mentorship to cultivate the next generation of life science leaders.'We're partnering with leading academic institutions, like NYU Abu Dhabi and UAE University, to ensure we're not just attracting global talent, but developing homegrown experts who understand the region's needs through tailored internships, training programmes, and research fellowships.'For international researchers and healthcare companies, Abu Dhabi offers a compelling package: fast-track clinical trial approvals, strong IP protections, global connectivity, and access to a market of 1.5 billion people within four hours.
'What we're building at HELM is more than a cluster; it's an ecosystem. And we want the best minds in the world to see it as a place where they can make a real difference,' Dr. Al Mulla
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