The Emirates Drug Establishment signed two strategic memorandums of understanding (MoU) at World Health Expo 2026 in Dubai, to advance sustainability, regulatory innovation and evidence-based decision-making in the medical products sector.
The Establishment also showcased its ‘Organ on Chip’ project, an innovative scientific platform that uses micro-engineered technology to simulate human organ functions and test drug efficacy with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, signed an MoU with ISPOR, the professional society for health economics and outcomes research. The agreement was signed by Professor Nadia Al Mazrouei, Chair of the ISPOR UAE Chapter.
The MoU aims to advance health economics and strengthen health technology assessment in the UAE. It will also support the exchange of international experts, launch specialized training programs, and drive collaborative research in medical products to enhance the performance of the national healthcare sector.
Dr. Al Kaabi also signed a second MoU with Roche Diagnostics Middle East, represented by Guido Sander, General Manager for the Middle East, and Mohammed Al Amri, Head of Diagnostics. The partnership aims to promote sustainability, advance carbon neutrality and zero-waste practices in pharmaceutical laboratories, and strengthen technical expertise in green lab design across the UAE.
Both agreements align with the Emirates Drug Establishment’s strategy to advance regulatory leadership, environmental sustainability, and evidence-based decision-making, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a regional and global hub for medical product regulation and healthcare innovation.
Organ on Chip platform
Underscoring EDE’s commitment to advanced technologies and innovation in pharmaceutical research and development, the Establishment has also highlighted its Organ on Chip initiative at WHX 2026.
Dr. Shaikha Al Mazrouei, Director of the Reference National Laboratory Drug Department at the Emirates Drug Establishment, said that the Organ on Chip technology delivers highly accurate, human-based models for drug testing, improving scientific outcomes, accelerating therapeutic development, and reducing reliance on animal models.
Image credits: EDE | Cropped by GBN
Al Mazrouei added that adopting such advanced solutions enhances testing efficiency, strengthens result reliability, and supports national pharmaceutical security.
The Organ on Chip project simulates human organ functions using micro-engineered chips, enabling precise evaluation of drug efficacy and toxicity beyond traditional cell culture and animal-based methods.
Aligning with EDE’s mission to strengthen the national pharmaceutical system, Organ on Chip promote specialized R&D in the UAE, and build a sustainable, innovation-driven ecosystem in line with global drug testing standards.
