A major healthcare initiative in the UAE has just begun a first-of-its-kind clinical trial that uses genetic testing to try to prevent Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms even appear. This study is part of the Emirati Genome Programme, a large national project that has already mapped the DNA of over 900,000 people in the UAE to better understand genetic risks for diseases. The trial is a partnership between M42’s Insights Research Organization and Solutions, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, and Halia Therapeutics.
The goal of the trial is to test a new experimental drug called HT-4253, made by Halia Therapeutics, on people who are at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s but do not yet show any symptoms. High risk is determined by the presence of a specific gene variant called APOE4, which is linked to a higher chance of getting Alzheimer’s. Only people who carry this gene variant will be invited to join the study through an organized screening process led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. All steps of the trial follow strict rules to make sure genetic data is used safely, ethically, and responsibly.
Her Excellency Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, explained the importance of this study. She said, “The Emirati Genome Programme is a key national achievement that is changing how we detect, prevent, and treat diseases. It shows the UAE’s commitment to using genomics to create a healthcare system that focuses on early action and prevention, improving health for everyone now and in the future.”
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to almost triple by 2050. The UAE, like many countries, is seeing a growing number of people with brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, which is why early detection and prevention are so important.
The Emirati Genome Programme has collected a huge amount of genetic data, making it one of the largest population studies in the world. This data helps scientists identify how common the APOE4 gene variant is in Emirati and Arab populations and understand genetic patterns unique to these groups. This information is key to finding people at high risk who could benefit from the new treatment being tested.
Albarah El-Khani, Chief Operating Officer at M42, said, “By combining the UAE’s world-leading genomic data with Halia Therapeutics’ new drug and our advanced clinical and data systems, we can identify APOE4 carriers on a large scale. This is especially important because people from the Middle East are often underrepresented in global medical research.”
The trial will take place in Abu Dhabi and will be led by IROS. Clinical data will be securely shared using Malaffi, the emirate’s health information system that keeps track of patient records over time. David Kavanagh, Interim General Manager at IROS, noted, “This study shows how a decade of investing in genomics in the UAE is now leading to real medical breakthroughs.”
Halia Therapeutics is using a unique approach in this trial. Instead of just focusing on treating Alzheimer’s, they want to understand why some people with high genetic risk never develop the disease. Their drug HT-4253 works on a specific pathway in the body that is linked to Alzheimer’s risk and progression. This could open the door to new ways of preventing the disease before it starts.