The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has entered into a strategic partnership with Sanofi to co-develop new global vaccines and enhance regional vaccine manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration aims to leverage Abu Dhabi’s advanced health-tech infrastructure and Sanofi’s global research and development expertise.
The agreement was formalised during the BIO International Convention 2025 in Boston, USA, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of the DoH, and Laurie Gery, Global Head of Business Development, Vaccines at Sanofi, were present at the signing ceremony.
Driving Global Vaccine Innovation
Under the agreement, DoH and Sanofi will focus on expediting vaccine development by integrating cutting-edge technologies, conducting parallel clinical trial phases, and applying real-time data analytics. The partnership is intended to reduce the time from early-stage research to public availability, while simultaneously enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a centre of excellence in biopharma innovation.
Dr Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Health Life Sciences Sector at DoH, stated:
“DoH is partnering with Sanofi to expedite the development of new global vaccines. This initiative aims to shorten the timeline from early research to public availability by utilising advanced technologies, real-time data analysis, and conducting parallel clinical trial phases.
By combining Sanofi’s global scientific expertise with Abu Dhabi’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, we set new benchmarks for resilience, innovation, and international partnerships. Abu Dhabi offers a globally connected, purpose-driven environment for leading research, and together we will drive a transformative change that will safeguard the health and well-being of our community while contributing to global health security.”
Enhancing Research, Regulation and Access
The collaboration also includes joint efforts to streamline regulatory processes, optimise clinical development planning, and establish terms for funding and equitable access to vaccines. Knowledge sharing among local and international experts will further enhance Abu Dhabi’s health ecosystem.
This is not the first collaboration between DoH and Sanofi. In 2022, the two entities announced their commitment to advancing four key healthcare priorities: hematology and oncology, rare metabolic diseases, diabetes management, and vaccines.
Baptiste de Clarens, General Manager, Greater Gulf, Vaccines, Sanofi, added:
“The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi marks an encouraging step towards advancing global health security while reflecting our shared interest in addressing global health challenges through scientific partnership.
This agreement allows us to examine how Sanofi’s experience in vaccine development could complement Abu Dhabi’s growing R&D ecosystem. Through this initial framework, we look forward to exploring opportunities for public-private collaboration in healthcare innovation.”
By joining forces, the DoH and Sanofi are not only elevating Abu Dhabi’s role in the global health innovation landscape but also advancing the broader mission of international health security through public-private collaboration.
