ADGHW Innovation Awards 2025 honours global health pioneers
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) has honoured exceptional individuals and institutions from around the world whose innovative contributions are advancing the future of health. Winners of the ADGHW Innovation Awards 2025 were recognised for pioneering solutions in digital health, biotechnology, and diagnostics, receiving global recognition and a share of the $200,000 prize fund.With a total of 91 submissions received from global and local individuals and institutions, the ADGHW Innovation Awards, sponsored by e& and PureHealth, welcomed entries that address critical health challenges across digital health, pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovations, and medical devices and diagnostics. Winners were selected following a rigorous review process led by a distinguished panel of global health experts, policymakers, and technology leaders.ADGHW Innovation Awards recipients include Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Dr. Ardem Patapoutian from the Scripps Research Institute in the Individual Category, for discovering novel molecular targets involved in pain perception. His work is unlocking new therapeutic pathways to treat chronic and neuropathic pain, significantly advancing personalised medicine and neuroscience.Runners-up for this category include Hesham A. Abdullah from GSK, recognised for his impactful oncology research and contributions to healthcare innovation in the region, and Kourosh Lotfi from Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City for advancing 3D bioprinting technologies for personalised regenerative medicine.The Global Institute Category was jointly awarded to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for development of prenatal therapeutic gene editing technologies and the University of Pennsylvania for its pioneering work in mRNA platform technology, the foundation of several next-generation vaccines.Runners-up for this category include Children's National Hospital for its StrepApp, an artificial intelligence-driven diagnostic tool enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of paediatric care; Eli Lilly and Company for revolutionising obesity care through the first dual GIP/GLP-1 treatment, redefining approaches to metabolic diseases; and Neo Q Quality in Imaging GmbH for RadioReport Automatic AI, transforming radiology reporting through automation and precision.The Regional Institute Category was awarded to King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre for revolutionising organ transplantation through robotic-assisted surgery.The hospital's innovative use of robotics enhances surgical precision, reduces recovery time, and sets a new benchmark for transplant care in the Middle East and internationally.Runners-up for this category include amplifai health for its AI-based thermal camera to screen diabetic foot ulcers, enabling early detection and proactive care to reduce complications; Proteinea for its AI-enabled Protein Engineering Platform designed to accelerate next-generation biotherapeutic development; and Pioneera Biosciences for BestCAR, an allogeneic CAR-NK cell therapy leveraging mRNA-LNP technology to target CD19 in haematologic malignancies.The Local Institute Category was awarded to BioSapien Inc. for its MediChip, a novel drug delivery platform that localises treatment to targeted areas, reducing systemic side effects and enhancing efficacy. The technology represents a significant leap forward in precision therapeutics and patient-centric care.Runners-up for this category include New York University Abu Dhabi for LAMINATE MS, an advanced neuroimaging platform to improve diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis; Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City for CHESS-Osteoporosis, a multi-centre validation trial driving innovation in bone health screening; EpiBone, Ltd. for its AI-powered living skeletal implants, redefining bone repair and personalised orthopaedic care; and Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City for advancing haematological diagnostics, enhancing AI models through multimodal data integration and clinical validation.His Excellency Dr Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of DoH, underscored the award's pivotal role in recognising excellence, fostering innovation, and accelerating progress across the healthcare sector during opening remarks at the ceremony. The event brought together senior government officials, healthcare leaders, and industry partners, including Her Excellency Dr Jaleela bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain; His Excellency Dr Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia; Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth; Dr Patrick Horber, President, International, Novartis; and Jacob Thaysen, Chief Executive Officer of Illumina.Her Excellency Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of DoH, said, 'We are delighted to honour these trailblazers from around the world. Their achievements show how powerful innovation can be in changing the global health landscape and highlight what's possible when we work together. By celebrating these breakthroughs, we're not only recognising what's been accomplished today, we are also paving the way for a healthier tomorrow for all, where everyone enjoys well-being and a long, healthy life.'Submissions were evaluated based on originality, impact, scalability, and sustainability. The rigorous assessment process was overseen by a panel of esteemed experts in healthcare, digital health, and public policy including Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH; Prof Shafi Ahmed, multi-award-winning surgeon, teacher, futurist, innovator and entrepreneur; John Nosta, President of NostaLab, Lina Shadid, Middle East Health Industries Lead, PwC; and Zubin Daruwalla, Asia Pacific Health Industries Lead, PwC.Lina Shadid, Middle East Health Industries Lead, PwC, said, 'The ADGHW Innovation Awards exemplify the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in addressing global health challenges with creativity, rigour, and purpose. The diversity and ingenuity of the application submissions highlight Abu Dhabi's role in boosting an ecosystem that drives advancements in healthcare. At PwC, we are proud to support this initiative and contribute to shaping a future where innovation is both encouraged and celebrated.'The diverse group of applicants underscores ADGHW's pivotal role in enhancing international collaboration and demonstrates Abu Dhabi's commitment to nurturing a thriving ecosystem that drives advancement in the global health sector.In a first for the awards, an AI assistant was also integrated into the review process, supporting the jury by surfacing patterns, providing comparative insights, and complementing human expertise during deliberations. This hybrid model reflects ADGHW's commitment to harnessing the potential of emerging technologies to drive fairness, transparency, and efficiency in the evaluation of innovative ideas.ADGHW is a major government initiative from DoH and serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration under the theme Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being.
It places a strong emphasis on community-driven health and well-being, with a proactive approach centred around preventive, personalised, and holistic care.
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