Sanofi says it signed an agreement with Khalifa University to study genetic factors in respiratory disease using data from the United Arab Emirates, seeking evidence more relevant to patients in the region.
Sanofi Greater Gulf General Manager Baptiste de Clarens described the agreement in a Gulf News partner-content interview. He said a joint team plans to examine local health and genomic datasets for factors associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
De Clarens said the work would draw on the UAE Genomic Program. He cited limited representation of populations in the region in global genomic studies as a reason to study local data. The aim is to inform future research into respiratory treatments, he said.
The agreement was signed during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, held Oct. 20-22. De Clarens described it as part of Sanofi’s wider research and operations in the UAE. He said the company has 26 clinical studies across 32 local sites and operates a regional distribution hub in the country.
De Clarens also said Sanofi is working with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi on vaccine readiness. In June, the department announced a memorandum of understanding with Sanofi to explore a vaccine innovation center. The proposed center’s scope includes vaccine discovery, mRNA research, clinical development and manufacturing, the department said.
The department said the June memorandum built on a partnership with Sanofi established in 2025.
