UAE And MENA To Host First-Ever Clinical Trial For Huntington’s Disease

IROS, a contract research organisation based in Abu Dhabi and part of the M42 group, has teamed up with Prilenia Therapeutics and the International Huntington’s Disease Association (IHA). They plan to conduct the first clinical trial for Huntington’s disease (HD) in the UAE and MENA region using Prilenia’s investigational drug, pridopidine.

The agreement was signed at the BIO International Convention in San Diego. Present were Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), and Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi, Deputy Group Chief Operating Officer of M42. Islam ElTantawy, General Manager at IROS, Dr. Michael Hayden, CEO of Prilenia, and Svein Olaf Olsen, President of the IHA signed the agreement.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director at DoH’s Research and Innovation Center, expressed pride in launching the region's first HD clinical trial. She said it aligns with Abu Dhabi's life science initiatives aimed at improving rare disease awareness and management.

HD affects up to 14 per 100,000 people globally. It causes abnormal movements, psychiatric issues, and severe cognitive decline due to a mutation in the huntingtin gene. This leads to neuron degeneration in the brain. As HD progresses, individuals lose their ability to work, manage finances, and perform daily tasks.

Dr. Fahed Al Marzooqi highlighted that this collaboration brings hope to the HD community. He emphasised the need for more research and data on HD in the UAE and MENA region to ensure proper representation in clinical trials.

Challenges in Diagnosing Huntington’s Disease

Svein Olaf Olsen noted that many HD patients are misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s or mental illness. This misdiagnosis leads to frustration and decreased quality of life for patients and their families. The trial aims to raise awareness about brain diseases while exploring ways to delay their progression.

Islam ElTantawy stressed that finding and enrolling suitable patients is crucial for any clinical trial's success. He mentioned that their partnership with Prilenia Therapeutics and IHA would help reach those who need these treatments most effectively.

Innovative Treatment Options

Pridopidine is a selective sigma–1–receptor agonist with neuroprotective properties. Dr. Hayden stated that it has shown consistent benefits across various measures important to HD patients and families in clinical studies.

This collaboration aims to bring innovative treatment options like pridopidine to those affected by HD in the UAE and MENA region who need new solutions.

The three organisations aim to raise awareness about HD through this clinical study under Project NADER (Needs Assessment and Therapeutics Development for Rare Diseases), supported by DoH. This project focuses on assessing needs and developing treatments for rare diseases.

This initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s healthcare goals for genetic rare disease care. It aims to support patients and their families by bringing innovative treatments through collaborative efforts.

With inputs from WAM