The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Swiss firm Xlife Sciences have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to fortify the Emirate’s life-sciences sector. The agreement, which was signed at the Department’s Headquarters, aims to enhance innovation, funding opportunities for life sciences start-ups, and clinical research within the Emirate.

The collaboration is part of DoH’s ongoing efforts to establish Abu Dhabi as a global hub for healthcare and life sciences. It will provide incubation training, mentoring, and commercialisation support to innovators, while also exploring the possibility of a joint funding framework with local ecosystem partners.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of Research and Innovation Centre at the DoH, expressed her delight at the collaboration, citing it as a step towards addressing global healthcare challenges and reinforcing the development of Abu Dhabi’s life sciences sector.

Xlife Sciences, represented by CEO Oliver R. Baumann, has established their UAE presence through a partnership with ICEBERG Capital, a company based in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and regulated by Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). ICEBERG Capital will be handling the company’s investment strategy and fund management, further enhancing the life sciences ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.

Abdullah Al Weshah, Managing Director – ICEBERG Capital, commented on the collaboration, expressing excitement at the prospect of supporting the Abu Dhabi Life-Sciences ecosystem and looking forward to establishing a joint funding framework to support start-ups, founders, and projects.

This agreement further cements Abu Dhabi’s position as a global life sciences hub and an incubator for healthcare innovation, while spearheading the transformation of the regional healthcare ecosystem through leveraging sciences and technology.