Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Arbor Biotechnologies Partner to Advance Gene-Editing Therapies for Rare and Genetic Diseases

26 Jun, 2026:

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Arbor Biotechnologies, a biotechnology company focused on advancing next-generation gene-editing technologies and developing transformative genetic medicines, during BIO International Convention 2026 in San Diego, USA.

Through the collaboration, both parties will explore opportunities to advance gene-editing research and clinical development, support the development of innovative therapies for rare and inherited diseases, strengthen scientific and clinical capabilities, and assess future opportunities related to advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing.

The partnership represents another step in Abu Dhabi's progression from population-scale genomics to next-generation therapies, strengthening the Emirate's ability to translate genomic insights into real-world patient impact. Together with the Emirate's integrated healthcare infrastructure, advanced research capabilities and enabling regulatory environment, these assets are creating new opportunities to accelerate the development, testing and future adoption of advanced therapies.

H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Gene editing represents one of the most promising advances in modern medicine, with the potential to address the underlying causes of rare and inherited diseases. Having established one of the world's most advanced genomics ecosystems, Abu Dhabi is now focused on accelerating the translation of genomic insights into therapies that can improve lives. This collaboration with Arbor strengthens capabilities across research, clinical development and advanced therapeutics, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a destination where the next generation of health innovations can be developed, tested and scaled.”

Devyn Smith, PhD, CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies, said: "Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in building world-class genomics and clinical infrastructure, and we see real opportunity to combine that foundation with our gene-editing platform to help translate genomic insights into real therapies for patients with rare and genetic diseases. We're looking forward to working alongside the Department of Health and its partners to advance gene-editing science as part of Abu Dhabi's progression toward next-generation genetic medicine."

The collaboration will support scientific exchange, technical training, workshops and research partnerships designed to strengthen expertise across the research, clinical and innovation landscape. Both parties will also explore opportunities to support the future development of advanced therapeutic capabilities and engagement with healthcare providers, researchers, academic institutions and industry partners.

As one of the world's largest population genomics programmes, the Emirati Genome Program has generated unprecedented insights into the genetic foundations of health and disease. Combined with Abu Dhabi's intelligent life sciences ecosystem, these capabilities are enabling a new era of precision medicine and creating opportunities to accelerate the development of more targeted therapies.

The announcement forms part of Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2026, where the emirate is showcasing its intelligent life sciences ecosystem and partnerships across genomics, gene editing, AI-enabled health innovation, advanced therapeutics and rare disease.

Representing the breadth of Abu Dhabi's health, investment and innovation ecosystem, DoH's high-level delegation to the United States includes stakeholders from Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), M42, Hub71, New York University Abu Dhabi, Masdar City, Khalifa University, KEZAD, Hub71, PureHealth, Mubadala Bio, Arcera and Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi.

A key enabler of the emirates intelligent life sciences ecosystem is Abu Dhabi Investment Office’s (ADIO) Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) Cluster, which connects research, investment, commercialisation and healthcare implementation within a single ecosystem. By bringing together innovators, investors, industry and healthcare stakeholders, HELM helps translate scientific discovery into real-world impact more efficiently and at greater scale.