Burjeel Holdings Collaborates With Axiom Space To Enable First Astronaut With Diabetes For Future Space Missions

Burjeel Holdings, in partnership with Axiom Space, has shared initial findings from their diabetes study, "Suite Ride," conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) during Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The research demonstrated that common diabetes management tools used on Earth can effectively monitor diabetes from space to Earth and back. This breakthrough paves the way for future astronauts with diabetes and offers innovative solutions for remote healthcare.

During a ceremony at the Burjeel Institute for Global Health in New York, Burjeel Holdings announced plans to send the first astronaut with diabetes into space. The event was attended by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology; Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings; and Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space. The Suite Ride initiative explored managing diabetes in space, aiming to make space travel accessible to those previously disqualified due to medical conditions.

The Suite Ride project sent a comprehensive set of remote care tools into space. It investigated how to manage diabetes in microgravity, marking significant progress toward inclusive space travel. The research showed that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pens function reliably under extreme space conditions. These devices can provide real-time blood sugar monitoring for astronauts.

Initial results indicate that CGM devices offer accuracy similar to Earth-based readings. They enable real-time glucose tracking for astronauts in microgravity and can transmit data back to Earth. This capability is crucial for maintaining astronaut health during missions.

Omran Sharaf highlighted the importance of inclusivity in space exploration during a panel discussion. He stated, "People from different parts of the world might require different kinds of treatments because of their genetic characteristics. Having more people going to space, and technologies like the one just tested in space, helps generate the variety of data needed to better inform science. The impact is huge."

Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City and Clinical Lead of the Burjeel–Ax-4 Space Health Research, explained that Burjeel Holdings initiated this study to advance space medicine aligned with UAE's space goals. He noted that these findings could revolutionise healthcare delivery on Earth as well.

Advancements in Remote Healthcare

The Suite Ride initiative achieved several milestones: it was the first instance of continuous glucose monitoring aboard the ISS, introduced insulin pens to the station, and validated glucose monitoring through multiple methods in space. These advancements open up opportunities for populations previously excluded from space travel and enhance real-time medical monitoring capabilities for extreme environments on Earth.

Dr. Fityan added that these developments could transform healthcare delivery globally: "Besides opening the door for astronauts with diabetes, these findings will also transform the way we deliver care here on Earth. From 250 miles above Earth to 25 miles offshore on oil rigs, we are advancing new models of remote care."

This research not only expands access to space but also improves medical monitoring technologies applicable both on our planet and beyond its atmosphere.

With inputs from WAM