M42’s Insights Research Organization and Solutions (IROS), in collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and US-based Halia Therapeutics, has launched the UAE’s first genomics-driven clinical trial.
The study will advance the clinical application of the Emirati Genome Program (EGP) by using population-scale genomic data to identify individuals who may meet the trial’s eligibility criteria for Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms appear. The initiative supports research into earlier intervention and preventive healthcare.
Following eligibility screening and genetic counseling, the trial will evaluate HT-4253, Halia Therapeutics’ investigational therapy, in asymptomatic individuals carrying the APOE4 gene variant, a major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The study also facilitates Abu Dhabi’s efforts to expand precision medicine and genomics-based clinical research.
Genomics-based participant selection
Eligible participants will be identified through targeted outreach led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Individuals who meet approved eligibility criteria based on genomic data will receive text message invitations to undergo screening for the clinical trial.
The Department of Health is providing regulatory oversight for the initiative, ensuring the responsible and ethical use of Emirati Genome Program data. All activities will be conducted in compliance with applicable data protection and patient privacy regulations.
Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said that the Emirati Genome Program is helping transform disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment by integrating genomics into clinical research.
Her Excellency remarked that the program supports the development of personalized healthcare through earlier risk identification, faster diagnosis, and more targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions based on an individual’s genetic profile.
Dr. Al Ghaithi added that the Emirati Genome Program has become one of the world’s largest population genomics initiatives and is increasingly translating scientific data into clinical applications.
Focus on Alzheimer’s prevention
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 55 million people globally, with the number expected to nearly triple by 2050.
The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases across the UAE and the wider region highlights the need for earlier detection and preventive approaches. Currently, no disease-modifying therapy has been approved for Alzheimer’s prevention.
The study is supported by the Emirati Genome Program, which has sequenced more than 900,000 genomes, making it one of the world’s largest national genomic databases.
The program provides valuable data on APOE4 prevalence and ancestry-specific genetic patterns among Emirati and Arab populations, enabling researchers to identify and recruit eligible high-risk participants on a population scale.
Albarah El-Khani, Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Health Solutions at M42, emphasized that the combination of the Emirati Genome Program, Halia Therapeutics’ investigational therapy, and M42’s clinical and data infrastructure enables the identification of APOE4 carriers at population scale within a group that remains underrepresented in global research.
The trial will be conducted in Abu Dhabi under the leadership of IROS, with clinical data integration supported by Malaffi, Abu Dhabi’s longitudinal health information exchange.
The combination of genomic data, longitudinal clinical records, and integrated research infrastructure strengthens genomics-driven clinical research and supports Abu Dhabi’s position in precision medicine.
David Kavanagh, Interim General Manager of IROS, highlighted that the Emirati Genome Program was established to improve health outcomes, while IROS was created to facilitate biomarker-driven and prevention-focused clinical trials based on genomic evidence.
Halia Therapeutics develops therapies based on genetic resilience by studying why some individuals remain healthy despite carrying high-risk genetic variants.
Its investigational therapy, HT-4253, targets the LRRK2-driven RAB10 phosphorylation pathway, which has been genetically linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk and progression. It is the company’s first program focused on preventing neurological disease before symptoms develop.
Alongside its collaboration with DoH and IROS, Halia Therapeutics has established an office in Abu Dhabi, reflecting the emirate’s growing role in genomics-based research and biotechnology.
