Dubai: Dubai Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the non-profit research and development organisation Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) at World Health Expo Dubai (WHX).
According to Emirates News Agency, the MoU was signed by Dr. Hanan Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO and Chief Academic Officer of Dubai Health and Provost of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Dr. Luis Pizarro, Executive Director of the DNDi. The signing took place in the presence of Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE, and Thi Hanh Cao, Director of External Relations at DNDi.
The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration in medical education, research, and clinical training. It aims to improve health outcomes for underserved populations affected by neglected infectious diseases. This collaboration combines DNDi’s global expertise in needs-driven drug discovery and development with Dubai Health’s integrated academic health system to support research and capacity building across priority global health areas.
Under the agreement, students from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), the learning and discovery arm of Dubai Health, will participate in DNDi-led programmes. These programmes include fieldwork and clinical research activities in Africa and Asia, providing hands-on exposure to patients affected by neglected diseases and the full spectrum of drug discovery, development, and public health delivery.
DNDi experts will also contribute to MBRU academic programmes, supporting two-way academic and professional exchange. The collaboration will begin with joint research scoping to identify priority projects, involving active faculty engagement through guest lectures, curriculum development, student co-supervision, joint grant applications, and collaborative research publications.
The partnership will also involve collaboration in drug discovery, clinical trials, regulatory science, and public health policy, with a focus on viral diseases, pandemic preparedness, and fungal infections. Additionally, it will support joint initiatives in the application of artificial intelligence to health research, co-organisation of scientific conferences and workshops, and dissemination of knowledge on key global health challenges.
Dr. Pizarro stated, “Neglected diseases disproportionately affect the world’s most vulnerable populations and are often overlooked by traditional research models. Through this partnership with Dubai Health, we aim to advance scientific progress while helping train the next generation of global health leaders to deliver more equitable health solutions.”
Dr. Al Suwaidi remarked, “By partnering with DNDi, we are giving our learners direct access to real-world drug development, clinical research, and global health practice. It reflects our commitment to advancing health for humanity by ensuring that care, learning, discovery, and giving are driven by purpose and real-world impact.”
