UAE Launches First Genomics Trial to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

The United Arab Emirates has launched its first genomics-driven clinical trial, marking a major milestone in transforming genetic research into practical healthcare. The initiative is led by M42's Insights Research Organization and Solutions (IROS) in partnership with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and US-based clinical-stage biotechnology company Halia Therapeutics.

The study is the first to translate data from the Emirati Genome Programme (EGP) into a real-world clinical trial, supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of advancing precision medicine and prevention-focused healthcare.

Trial Will Identify High-Risk Individuals Before Symptoms Appear

The research will use population-scale genomic data from the Emirati Genome Programme to identify people who may qualify for the study based on their genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease before any symptoms develop.

Eligible participants will be contacted directly by the Department of Health through text messages and invited to complete eligibility screening. Before joining the trial, participants will also receive genetic counselling to help them understand the process and their genetic information..

The Department of Health is overseeing the project to ensure the ethical and responsible use of genomic data. Officials confirmed that all activities comply with patient privacy and data protection regulations.

HT-4253 Therapy to Be Tested in APOE4 Gene Carriers

The clinical trial will evaluate HT-4253, an investigational therapy developed by Halia Therapeutics. The treatment will be tested in individuals who carry the APOE4 gene variant, one of the strongest known genetic risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, but who have not yet developed symptoms.

Researchers hope the study will determine whether early intervention can help delay or prevent the disease before it begins.

Abu Dhabi Strengthens Leadership in Precision Medicine

The trial will be conducted in Abu Dhabi under the leadership of IROS, with clinical data linked through Malaffi, the emirate's longitudinal health information exchange.

By combining genomic information from the Emirati Genome Programme, long-term clinical records and advanced research infrastructure, the project strengthens Abu Dhabi's position as an international centre for genomics, biotechnology and precision medicine.

Emirati Genome Programme Surpasses 900,000 Sequenced Genomes

The Emirati Genome Programme has now sequenced more than 900,000 genomes, making it one of the world's largest and most comprehensive national genomics programmes.

Researchers say the large dataset enables the identification of people at higher genetic risk while providing valuable information about APOE4 prevalence and ancestry-specific genetic patterns among Emirati and Arab populations. It also improves the representation of regional populations in global genomics research.

Dr Noura Al Ghaithi Highlights Importance of Genomic Medicine

Her Excellency Dr Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said the Emirati Genome Programme is a strategic national asset that is changing how diseases are understood, prevented and treated.

She said integrating genomic data into clinical research supports personalised healthcare by enabling earlier risk detection, faster diagnosis and more targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions based on an individual's genetic profile.

Dr Al Ghaithi also noted that the programme demonstrates how scientific data can be translated into real-world healthcare applications while improving the health and quality of life of current and future generations. She added that the initiative also strengthens the representation of Arab populations in global genomics studies.

Alzheimer's Disease Continues to Present a Global Health Challenge

According to the study information, Alzheimer's disease currently affects more than 55 million people worldwide, with the number expected to nearly triple by 2050.

Health experts said the increasing burden of neurodegenerative diseases across the UAE and the wider region highlights the need for earlier diagnosis and more effective prevention strategies. They also noted that no disease-modifying preventive therapy has yet been approved despite decades of research.

M42 Says Unique Data Infrastructure Offers Major Research Advantage

Albarah El-Khani, Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Health Solutions at M42, said combining one of the world's largest national genomic datasets with Halia Therapeutics' investigational therapy and M42's clinical infrastructure allows researchers to identify APOE4 carriers on a population scale while studying a group that has traditionally been underrepresented in international research.

David Kavanagh, Interim General Manager of IROS, described the trial as the clinical translation of more than a decade of investment in the Emirati Genome Programme. He said the research demonstrates how genomic data can now be used in real-world clinical studies focused on prevention and biomarker-driven healthcare.

Halia Therapeutics Expands Presence in Abu Dhabi

Halia Therapeutics is developing medicines based on a genetic resilience approach, studying why some individuals remain healthy despite carrying high-risk genetic variants. Its investigational therapy, HT-4253, targets the LRRK2-driven RAB10 phosphorylation pathway, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease risk and progression.

The company has also established a new office in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the emirate's growing reputation as a destination for biotechnology companies and genomics-based medical research.

CEO Says Early Intervention Is the Future of Alzheimer's Prevention

Dave Bearss, Ph.D., President, CEO and Co-Founder of Halia Therapeutics, said the company's approach focuses on understanding the biological mechanisms that naturally protect certain individuals from disease despite carrying high-risk genes.

He said the Emirati Genome Programme and M42's integrated clinical infrastructure provide a population-scale platform for prevention-focused clinical research. According to Bearss, the goal is to intervene before Alzheimer's disease develops, rather than waiting until symptoms appear.