Abu Dhabi Health Research Centre Launches To Advance Clinical Innovation And Global Leadership

PureHealth has created the Abu Dhabi Health Research Centre (ADHRC), a new integrated division that centralises clinical research across its Abu Dhabi network. The centre aims to support translational research, precision medicine and medical innovation, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s contribution to global healthcare research and aligning with wider life sciences ambitions for the emirate.

ADHRC unifies research operations at 16 hospitals, a large group of primary care clinics and advanced laboratories across Abu Dhabi. The centre manages every phase of the research cycle. Activities include study design, patient enrolment, regulatory coordination, data analysis and preparation of scientific publications, which are handled through standardised processes.

The Abu Dhabi Health Research Centre reports more than 100 active clinical research studies across multiple disciplines. Over 300 principal investigators lead these projects, supported by a scientific workforce of more than 700 scientists. ADHRC collaborates with government bodies, global biopharma companies and leading universities, ensuring research stays aligned with Abu Dhabi’s strategic healthcare priorities.

The launch was formally presented at the first ADHRC Research Conference 2025 in Abu Dhabi, held with backing from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. The conference brought together international experts and regional stakeholders. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration in clinical research and scientific development, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s plans to expand evidence-based healthcare.

Dr Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), said, "Harnessing the collective strength of our ecosystem is central to Abu Dhabi’s vision of advancing healthcare through science and innovation. The establishment of the Abu Dhabi Research Centre marks an important milestone in consolidating our research capabilities and driving high-impact clinical studies that improve lives locally and globally. This initiative reaffirms DoH’s commitment to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for life sciences. By empowering partners such as PureHealth to lead high-quality, ethically governed and impactful research, we are accelerating discovery and enhancing patient outcomes."

Describing the role of the new centre in the UAE’s healthcare system, Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer at PureHealth, said, "The establishment of ADHRC marks a defining moment in the UAE’s healthcare journey. By consolidating our research capabilities under one unified centre, we are building on PureHealth’s longstanding legacy in medical research to accelerate the development of breakthrough therapies, improve patient outcomes, and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare innovation. This transformation is driven by scientific excellence, operational scale, and our unwavering commitment to enabling longer, healthier lives for all."

The Abu Dhabi Health Research Centre is set to act as a single platform for clinical research across PureHealth facilities. By coordinating large-scale studies and strengthening ties with international partners, the centre supports Abu Dhabi’s vision for a strong, research-led healthcare system that benefits patients in the UAE and beyond.

With inputs from WAM