Naser Al Yammahi, Deputy CEO of Hayat Biotech, highlights the importance of international collaboration in fostering a healthier, more equitable world.
With renewed discussions on pandemic preparedness, international collaboration has become more vital than ever as healthcare issues increasingly cross borders. Hayat Biotech started with a vision to make a global impact through collaboration. Evolving from a start-up into a leading healthcare company, we remain dedicated to tackling complex health challenges. Leveraging my industrial experience in building strategic partnerships, we emphasize how crucial these alliances are in advancing healthcare equity for those in greatest need.
At Hayat Biotech, our global partnerships, especially in Africa, aim to improve medication access and infrastructure. By collaborating with BioVax in Kenya, we address healthcare disparities and enhance local capabilities. Drawing on my experience, I’ve built impactful alliances that drive progress in healthcare and advance our mission to deliver sustainable solutions to underserved regions.
Speaking of underserved communities, addressing global medicine shortages, worsened by manufacturing delays, geopolitical tensions, and rising costs, demands a multifaceted approach that includes data utilization, resource sharing, and artificial intelligence. International collaborations are vital for improving medicine access and supply chain efficiency.
I’m proud overseen the establishment of one of the region’s largest biosimilars facilities, which enhances health equity by increasing access to essential medicines. With a production and storage capacity of 200 million vials per year, this facility not only supports the U.A.E.’s self-sufficiency goals but also offers an ideal contract manufacturing solution for international pharmaceutical companies targeting the MENA market. In addition, our global expansion, including a new partnership with Serbia, will add another 30 million vials annually.
Our commitment to enhancing medicine access and production capabilities is supported by extensive experience in managing clinical trials across the U.A.E., Egypt, Bahrain, and Jordan.
Leveraging this significant expertise positions us as the partner of choice for pharmaceutical multinationals seeking to conduct clinical trials within a robust and seamless regulatory process. Furthermore, the U.A.E.’s diverse population ensures a broad and representative participant base that contributes to comprehensive and impactful clinical trial results.
These international endeavors would not have reached fruition without the support of global pharmaceutical leaders. Notably, our strategic partnership with Sinopharm—a company with over a century of expertise and a broad, diverse product portfolio—has been crucial in supporting these cross-border initiatives. One outcome was the introduction of Hayat-Vax, the first locally produced COVID-19 vaccine in the MENA region. Hayat Biotech has been pivotal in improving vaccine accessibility, distributing it to 64 countries.
Moreover, I believe that academic collaborations are crucial for advancing healthcare. Our partnerships with Khalifa University and Zayed University drive clinical trials, research, and youth empowerment, fostering new treatments and inspiring future leaders.
Navigating the complexities of international engagement presents both opportunities and challenges. We tackle regulatory and logistical hurdles by forging strong partnerships and leveraging digital solutions to optimize our operations. Looking ahead, Hayat Biotech is committed to supporting the U.A.E.’s vision of transforming Abu Dhabi into a hub for collaboration and innovation in the healthcare sector and to addressing health disparities, contributing to a more equitable future for all.
For full article, please visit: Originally published by Forbes on 14/10/2024.