Abu Dhabi Greenlights HELM Cluster To Boost Medical Innovation, Biotechnology Leadership

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan approved the creation of the Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster with an aim to strengthen the city's life sciences sector and establish the emirate as a leader in medical innovation, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

The initiative is led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. Al Nahyan emphasized that investing in medical innovation is a national priority, receiving full support from the leadership. This is evident in the development of healthcare projects that use advanced biotechnology and AI to improve the quality of life for society, WAM reported.

"The Abu Dhabi Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster represents a transformational step in Abu Dhabi's economic strategy, reinforcing our commitment to fostering an ecosystem where scientific research, innovation and commercial viability intersect," said Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

"The cluster will provide global and local stakeholders with a wide range of solutions, including access to cutting-edge technologies, world-class infrastructure and progressive regulatory frameworks," he added.

Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, explained that the initiative is not only about building infrastructure but also about investing in human potential, breakthroughs in longevity, and solutions that will have a global impact. The focus is on where innovation creates real-world benefits.

The HELM cluster aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global leader in healthcare innovation and help diversify the emirate's economy. It is expected to contribute over AED94 billion to the GDP, attract more than AED42 billion in investments, and create around 30,000 new jobs by 2045.

Badr Al Olama, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), explained that the HELM cluster will revolutionize the life sciences industry by removing obstacles, speeding up innovations, and offering a clear path from discovery to global impact.

The cluster provides world-class infrastructure, AI-powered research, and supportive regulations, giving biotech and life sciences companies a unique advantage.

The HELM cluster is the third in a series of economic clusters launched by ADIO to drive Abu Dhabi's economic diversification and strengthen its leadership in future-focused industries.

It follows the successful launches of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster in 2023 and the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster in 2024.