Wara Samar
2nd May 2025
Abu Dhabi Introduces HELM Cluster: A $25.5 Billion Investment in Healthcare Innovation
Abu Dhabi is embarking on a bold new chapter in healthcare and life sciences with the launch of the Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster. By 2045, the cluster is forecasted to contribute over $25.5 billion (AED 94 billion) to the emirate’s GDP, attract more than $11 billion (AED 40.4 billion) in investments, and generate close to 30,000 skilled jobs. This initiative significantly strengthens Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a central force in global healthcare advancement while furthering its economic diversification objectives, particularly by accelerating the adoption of AI for medical innovations.
Artificial intelligence in medicine is a cornerstone of the HELM initiative. The cluster stems from a strategic partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and the tech ecosystem Hub71. Through this collaboration, Abu Dhabi is aiming to spark cutting-edge developments in life sciences by combining artificial intelligence with biotechnology, pharmaceutical innovation, MedTech, and digital health.
The HELM cluster also presents new opportunities for pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in UAE, positioning Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for pharmaceutical production and research. In a statement, Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, emphasized:
“The HELM cluster will serve as a launchpad for high-growth startups and leading innovators to develop and scale AI-driven life sciences solutions from Abu Dhabi to the world.”
Professor Sami Haddadin, Vice President of Research at MBZUAI, reinforced this vision:
“We aim to equip researchers, students, and entrepreneurs with the expertise and ecosystem needed to drive transformative innovations.”
Also Read: Personalized Medicine: The Key to Longevity – Insights from MedTech Malta 2024
Paving the Way for a Global Health Innovation Capital
The HELM cluster is envisioned as a dynamic platform for R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization across the spectrum of health technologies. Rather than simply adjusting the current healthcare model, Abu Dhabi seeks to revolutionize the way science, medicine, and longevity are approached—both regionally and globally.
By building on the emirate’s expertise in AI and expanding on the success of previous economic clusters like the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) and AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA), HELM solidifies the emirate’s long-term vision of becoming a world leader in knowledge-based industries.
This multi-billion-dollar initiative doesn’t just support local industry, it positions Abu Dhabi to steer the global conversation on medical breakthroughs, fostering a resilient ecosystem where scientific inquiry meets real-world application.
As HELM gathers momentum, it is expected to set the course for transformative breakthroughs, offering new solutions in preventive care, personalized medicine, and health-tech entrepreneurship—solidifying Abu Dhabi’s place at the heart of global life sciences innovation.
In February, MedTech World featured a panel on longevity at its Dubai event, titled ‘Unlocking Longevity: A Holistic Approach to Genomics, Lifestyle, Wellness and Precision Health’. With Abu Dhabi now on the radar, more updates will be shared soon.
MedTech Malta 2025
Save the dates—12 to 14 November—as MedTech Malta returns to Valletta, offering a focused platform for collaboration and innovation in the heart of the Mediterranean. Whether you’re a startup preparing to pitch, a company considering sponsorship, or a professional looking to connect and learn, this is the place to be. Expect insightful panels, tailored networking opportunities, and the energy of the MedTech Startup Pitch Competition. Interested? Contact us at [email protected] and secure your early bird ticket before rates increase.
