The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulatory authority for the healthcare sector in the emirate, and Eli Lilly signed a memorandum of understanding during the BIO International Convention 2026, held in San Diego, United States, with the aim of advancing treatments for obesity and Alzheimer's disease as two of the most pressing health challenges in the region.
Through this strategic collaboration, the two parties will work to explore the establishment of an AI-powered healthcare model for obesity treatment, alongside a world-class centre of excellence for Alzheimer's disease in Abu Dhabi.
The collaboration brings together Lilly's extensive therapeutic expertise and its leadership in transformative medicines with Abu Dhabi's precise population data and advanced health infrastructure, supporting the emirate's vision to strengthen its position as a leading global hub for life sciences and innovation.
Dr Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said:
"Abu Dhabi has successfully built one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world in the field of precision medicine, drawing on large-scale population genomics programmes, advanced health data, and established clinical excellence. This collaboration with Lilly enhances our ability to harness these capabilities to develop more personalised approaches to tackling obesity and Alzheimer's disease."