Abu Dhabi has formally launched a dedicated cluster focused on health, endurance, longevity and medicine that is projected to create 30,000 new jobs by 2045.
Helm, standing for Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine, is the new name for an economic cluster of life science facilities in Abu Dhabi's Masdar City, it was announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week.
Spearheaded by the Department of Health, the Department of Economic Development, and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), the initiative brings together infrastructure, regulation and funding in the hope it can accelerate the development of drugs and vaccines. With the creation of jobs, it is also hoped it will contribute significantly to Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification.
“Our niche is clear: we are focused on longevity, wellness, and better health outcomes. At its core, the cluster will enable advancements in genomic medicine, AI-powered diagnostics, and advanced therapies,” Fatma Al Mulla, the head of Helm at Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said. “What makes this cluster special is that we don’t work in isolation.“
Years of hard work pay off
Masdar’s life sciences cluster first began to take shape in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, when much of the research and development for the Chinese Sars-CoV-2 vaccine was carried out on-site. This early momentum catalysed the arrival of other central players. The launch of Helm formalises that progress.
“All of us need each other. We’re not competing here; Masdar provides the physical infrastructure, Adio brings the incentives and funding, and the Department of Health offers regulatory guidance,” said Marwan Mohamed, assistant business development manager at Masdar City. “Together, we can bring a therapy, medical device, or drug from idea to patient.
Today, Masdar City’s life sciences cluster includes around 50 companies, among them InSilico Medicine, Hayat Therapeutics, Reparex Labs and Attentive Sciences. It is also home to major initiatives like M42 and the Emirati Genome Programme, which has sequenced nearly 900,000 Emiratis.
“The life sciences cluster is basically all the components needed to bring a drug from research all the way to market,” Mr Mohamed said. “That includes manufacturing, translational research, and the supply chain. Together, they make the full value chain.”
A more streamlined process
With the new agreement in place, the process of entering Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem is now more streamlined. “Let’s say a company lands at the airport. They talk to Adio for funding, then come to Masdar City for a free zone licence and lab space, and then to the Department of Health for regulatory approvals and clinical trial guidance,” Mr Mohamed said. “Now, that process will be much more cohesive.
“We’re going to see way more clinical trials, and far more therapies that don’t get stuck in what we call ‘the valley’ – the gap between scientific discovery and market delivery,” he added. “In life sciences, researchers often struggle to bring innovation to market. That’s where we, the cluster, come in. We help them cross that gap.”
An example is a biotech company based in the US which announced the launch of Abu Dhabi’s first regulated preclinical laboratory this week. Tareq Abu-Nadi, chief executive and co-founder of Attentive Sciences, said the firm is setting up the region’s first fully regulated preclinical lab and incubator at Helm.
Attentive Sciences is a global contract research organisation (CRO) that works with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to help bring new drugs to life, from early discovery through to clinical trials.
“We help our clients, biotech, pharma companies, develop novel ideas and novel drugs, from lead optimisation and early R&D all the way to clinical trials,” said Mr Abu-Nadi. Abu Dhabi is home to what will become its largest location.
Other Helm partners include the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre, and New York University Abu Dhabi.
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There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
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Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
