Abu Dhabi: Burjeel Holdings and BridgeBio Pharma, in collaboration with the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi and a US-based biopharmaceutical company, have launched Project NADER. The project aims to identify rare diseases in the MENA region and offer patients access to advanced healthcare solutions. Clinical trials for Project NADER will take place in Abu Dhabi.
The two entities signed a preliminary, non-binding collaboration agreement establishing a mutual intention to work together on project NADER (Needs Assessment and Therapeutic Development for Rare Diseases; nader’ meaning ‘rare’ in Arabic). Genetic in origin, these often life-threatening or chronically debilitating diseases affect a small percentage of the population and are present throughout the person’s entire life, even if symptoms do not immediately appear.
Both entities intend to collaborate on identifying patients with several rare diseases, including achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, FGFR-driven craniosynostoses, autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia type 1, limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Canavan disease, propionic academia, methylmalonic academia, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration, and others as mutually agreed.
In the first phase of Project NADER, the two entities intend to utilise innovative risk assessment algorithms that will be deployed through the healthcare provider’s secure internal data to identify patients at risk for specific rare diseases. The project further aims to run awareness campaigns and education activities about such rare diseases to further support the mapping activity and encourage local collaborations with other healthcare providers.
The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi is proud to witness yet another leading partnership aimed at propelling transformative medicine to safeguard the health and well-being of community members. Reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for life science and innovation, we remain committed to empowering healthcare providers in the emirate with the means to lead research studies and conduct clinical trials to map out a path towards discovery and breakthrough healthcare in the emirate and beyond. Similar initiatives translate the department’s vision of securing health for all while accelerating healthcare outcomes for the benefit of the global community.”
Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at DoH
Mr. John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings, noted that “Project NADER marks a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering the best possible care to our patients. It brings together Burjeel’s expertise in healthcare delivery and outreach and BridgeBio’s vast expertise in delivering breakthrough therapies for rare diseases. By combining our strengths, we seek to address the challenges faced in the identification of rare diseases, which often go undiagnosed until symptoms become severe. The project will enable early interventions, whether in the form of established treatments or novel therapies.”