Naser Al Yammahi, Deputy CEO of U.A.E.-based Hayat Biotech, explains the importance of innovation to elevating human health and his company’s approach to pushing scientific frontiers with clinical trials.
From being the director of the U.A.E. Ministry of State Office to the deputy CEO of Hayat Biotech, how has your experience impacted your current role?
My role allows me to leverage 15 years of experience as we propel forward on our quest to improve human lives. Throughout my career, I have focused on forming strategic partnerships between public and private entities and identifying synergies between local and international players. This experience is pertinent to my role at Hayat Biotech.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.A.E.’s visionary leadership launched ‘#4Humanity’; the world’s largest clinical trial of COVID-19 inactivated vaccines. As part of the leadership team, I leaned on my experience as it required an intricate level of global strategic partnership expertise. I will never forget the significance of this milestone for the U.A.E. and the leadership lessons learnt along the way, such as the value of cross-functional collaborations and the importance of moving away from working in silos.
Will Hayat Biotech continue to conduct clinical trials?
Certainly. Following the success of #4Humanity, we conducted eight clinical trials and confirmed plans to carry out new trials in the years ahead. Hayat Biotech is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s mission of becoming a world-class clinical trial destination; one that drives progress in medical discoveries and is supported by the U.A.E.’s robust infrastructure and diverse population.
What type of technological advancements does Hayat Biotech have in the pipeline?
We are exploring AI technology integration when conducting future clinical trials. These include devices that obtain real time data and live recordings of patient vitals for more streamlined follow-ups and that give patients the opportunity to be more involved in clinical trials. We are also developing systems that support drug discoveries and development, and AI systems with predictive analytics that collect information and forecast the likelihood of certain diseases.
From an economic standpoint, how is Hayat Biotech contributing to the U.A.E.’s vision and growth?
We can now address supply chain concerns with our manufacturing plant, the Hayat Biotech Life Sciences Park, located in the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), which focuses on biotechnology R&D and pharmaceutical production. Boasting a production capacity of 200 million vials per year, the state-of-the-art facility also features a fully automated warehouse.
This facility, combined with our contract manufacturing organization (CMO) business model, helps attract pharmaceutical companies seeking localization of their operations. Additionally, our geographical location allows us to increase exports and create jobs.
This is supported by our partnerships with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health and AD Ports Group, making Hayat Biotech a key player in international distribution networks. Moving forward, we are committed to delving into the U.A.E.’s limitless potential and making strides within its life sciences and R&D sector.