Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a global leader in life sciences through the Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster. This was launched during the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) from April 15-17, 2025. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) developed this cluster. Abu Dhabi’s HELM cluster focuses on advancing research, manufacturing, and commercialization of health solutions to address chronic diseases and extend healthy lifespans.
Complementing this effort is the Abu Dhabi Health Information Cybersecurity Standards (ADHICS). ADHICS is a framework that ensures the security of sensitive health data, enabling trust and fostering innovation. HELM comes with specific objectives and plays a critical role in ADGHW 2025’s longevity agenda. And ADHICS will facilitate HELM’s mission by enabling secure innovation.
Advancing Longevity Through Precision Medicine
The HELM cluster is a strategic initiative designed to transform healthcare by focusing on precision medicine, genomics, and AI-driven diagnostics. Its goals include conducting cutting-edge research, producing advanced health solutions, and delivering these innovations to global markets. By 2045, HELM is projected to attract $11.5 billion in foreign direct investment, positioning Abu Dhabi as a hub for biotechnology and medical technology (ADIO and DoH Partner on HELM).
HELM’s emphasis on longevity addresses the global rise in aging populations and chronic diseases. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2080, there will be more people over the age of 65 than children under the age of 18, increasing demand for personalized treatments. The Emirati Genome Program, one of the largest globally, has sequenced thousands of Emirati genomes to predict and prevent present and future genetic diseases. It also helps implement new and tailored therapies for rare and chronic diseases.
Setting the Stage for HELM
ADGHW 2025 was held under the theme “Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being”. It served as the platform for the launch of Abu Dhabi’s HELM cluster. The event showcased practical applications of HELM’s vision. The Population Health Intelligence Framework, a pioneering AI-driven system, predicts and prevents public health challenges. For instance, Abu Dhabi’s Personalized Precision Medicine program screened 207 family members of cancer patients for inherited mutations, enabling early interventions.
ADGHW also introduced the Declaration on Longevity and Precision Medicine, signed by DoH, M42, and others. This declaration outlines six pillars: advancing research, fostering collaboration, investing in education, advocating policies, upholding ethics, and engaging the public. It provides a roadmap for integrating AI, genomics, and personalized care into healthcare systems, with HELM as a key driver.
ADHICS: Enabling Secure Innovation
The Abu Dhabi Health Information Cybersecurity Standards (ADHICS) was implemented by the DoH in 2019. It aligns perfectly with the HELM vision, providing a ready-to-use framework that mandates encryption, multi-factor authentication, and incident response protocols for all healthcare entities in Abu Dhabi. It also aligns with the UAE’s Federal Law on Personal Data Protection and integrates with the Malaffi health information exchange. ADHICS can ensure that HELM’s data-intensive innovations are secure, ethical, and trusted, supporting its goals in the following ways:
Securing Genomic and AI Data
HELM’s research in genomics and AI diagnostics relies on sensitive datasets, such as genetic profiles from the national genomics program. ADHICS provides a solid foundation to protect this data with robust encryption. It ensures patient privacy and prevents breaches that could erode trust.
Facilitating Global Partnerships
HELM collaborates with institutions like NYU Abu Dhabi, Illumina, and the University of Pennsylvania. This requires secure data sharing across borders. ADHICS aligns with international standards like GDPR, enabling seamless, compliant data exchange.
Ensuring Commercial Trust
As HELM commercializes AI diagnostics and personalized therapies, ADHICS can ensure that these products meet stringent cybersecurity standards. This helps in boosting confidence among investors and consumers.
Supporting Ethical Practices
The Declaration on Longevity emphasizes ethical innovation, and ADHICS enforces transparency and data privacy in AI applications, such as the Population Health Intelligence Framework, which securely analyzes population data.
Encouraging Public Participation
Initiatives like IFHAS and school screenings depend on public trust. ADHICS security measures can reassure citizens that their data is protected, increasing engagement in preventive care programs.
ADHICS provides the foundation for safe, transformative healthcare, allowing innovators to focus on solutions while also protecting patient data.
Addressing Challenges in Abu Dhabi’s HELM Cluster
HELM’s ambitions face several challenges, including:
- Innovation vs. Security: While the stringent standards of ADHICS can ensure data safety, it requires streamlined compliance to avoid slowing research and commercialization.
- Workforce Training: Developing a skilled workforce to implement ADHICS-compliant AI and genomic systems is essential.
- Equitable Access: Ensuring that HELM’s advanced therapies reach underserved communities is a priority to maximize impact.
As Abu Dhabi addresses challenges like workforce training and global alignment, it is setting a standard for secure, ethical healthcare innovation. While HELM plans to expand its focus on rare diseases and advanced therapies, ADHICS-compliant systems can help drive global research collaborations. The Declaration on Longevity will guide HELM’s ethical approach, while ADHICS can ensure that AI and genomic advancements remain secure and transparent. By pioneering secure, ethical healthcare innovation through HELM and ADHICS, Abu Dhabi is not only transforming global health outcomes but also redefining the future of precision medicine with trust and integrity at its core.