Healthcare

Abu Dhabi has officially launched a transformative life sciences cluster named HELM – Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine – marking a major step in the emirate's journey to becoming a global hub for biotechnology, MedTech, and digital health innovation.

The announcement was made during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week and reflects a strategic collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. The HELM cluster is expected to significantly boost the local and global life sciences ecosystem.

Designed to foster research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of cutting-edge health solutions, HELM will support advances in AI-driven diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, gene therapies, and precision medicine. This initiative aims to convert scientific breakthroughs into accessible, patient-centered solutions on a global scale.

With a strong foundation of world-class infrastructure, an innovation-enabling regulatory framework, and a strategically positioned location, Abu Dhabi offers unmatched global market access. The emirate’s diverse talent pool, advanced biomanufacturing capabilities, and commitment to innovation further strengthen its appeal as a launchpad for life sciences enterprises.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, emphasized the cluster’s broad value: “The HELM cluster will offer stakeholders access to advanced technologies and infrastructure while fostering a competitive and collaborative life sciences hub. It aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of sustainable economic diversification and healthcare excellence.”

The cluster targets some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges, such as chronic and non-communicable diseases, responsible for over 70% of global deaths, and the medical needs of aging populations. The global healthcare market, projected to reach $25.3 trillion by 2045, presents immense opportunity, and Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a key player.

His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, highlighted the visionary goals of the cluster: “This initiative reflects our commitment to harnessing innovation for lasting health impact. HELM is not just about technology, but about empowering human potential and extending the boundaries of longevity and well-being.”

Leveraging Abu Dhabi’s AI-powered healthcare systems and advancements in precision medicine, the HELM cluster aims to accelerate the time-to-market for breakthrough technologies. The emirate also hosts one of the largest national genomics programs globally, promoting R&D through a diverse genomic database to support the growth of personalized medicine.

The cluster also enhances Abu Dhabi’s global pharmaceutical supply chain position, offering robust infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and long-term partnership prospects to navigate an increasingly complex international landscape.

By 2045, the HELM cluster is projected to contribute $25.6 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, attract $11.5 billion in investments, and create 30,000 high-value jobs, reinforcing economic diversification and long-term healthcare innovation.

HELM is the latest in a series of strategic cluster developments in the emirate, following the launch of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster in 2023 and the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster in 2024.

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