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Leading scientists and researchers celebrated at 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery & Therapy

Dubai February 13, 2012: The global importance and significance of the 4^th International Conference on Drug Discovery & Therapy (ICDDT) has been highlighted by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, who officially opened the conference at the Dubai Men's College yesterday.

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan said the scientists attending the 4^th ICDDT were making the "most thrilling discoveries on the face of our planet", as conference delegates would discuss and explore "ideas critical to the future well-being of our global society".

"Drug discoveries and biotechnology research already have allowed us to take steps to reduce world hunger, free individuals and societies from devastating diseases, improve environmental quality, produce better foods, and create new materials for the benefit of humankind," H.E. Sheikh Nahayan said.

"We will all understand that the well-being of mankind motivates your discoveries. You are working to protect, sustain, and improve health and human life. The entire world maintains an intense interest in your work and rejoices in your discoveries," he added.

In his address the Federal Minister called for greater national, regional and international cooperation in the fields of drug discovery and therapy. "You know that true progress results from cooperation and collaboration. No individual, no institution, no country, can successfully work in isolation. We must all work together to create and preserve a world order that promotes hope, understanding, stability, cooperation, health, education, and prosperity," he said.

Sheikh Nahayan added that the conference was an "important scientific event that will open up new possibilities for collaboration and research in critical areas of human endeavor" thereby helping to address the "fragile condition of health among so many of the world's population".

"This situation (poor health) is exacerbated by poor nutrition, lack of potable water, meager sanitation facilities, and inadequate health care in many regions of the world. In the more prosperous countries, unwise dietary choices and lack of physical activity have caused increases in diabetes, obesity, heart conditions and other diseases," he said.

"New advances in medicine are essential to improving health. New ideas and policies are needed to help our global citizens achieve more healthy lives."

H.E. Sheikh Nahayan said that the wisdom and vision of the UAE's leaders and the UAE government has enabled the nation to become "a center of excellence for health care, for education, and for research and innovation".

"We are continually seeking to strengthen an already sound health care structure. We are now dedicated to supporting research especially in regard to health and the environment," Sheikh Nahayan said.

The conference has been attended by some of the world's leading pharmaceutical scientists, clinical researchers, internists and academics to discuss the latest advances in the interdisciplinary fields of drug discovery, therapeutic research and translational medicine.

Six Nobel Laureates and other eminent scientists, including Prof. Mario Molina (USA), Prof. Hartmut Michel (Germany), Prof. Harald zur Hausen (Germany), Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn (France), Prof. Robert Huber (Germany), Prof. Ferid Murad (USA), and Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman (Pakistan), attended the international conference.

A highlight of the 4-day event has been the 500 scientific talks in 36 thematic sessions, together with poster presentations and a commercial exhibition. A wide range of medical, pharmaceutical and therapeutic fields have been discussed including anti-cancer discovery and therapy; advances in diabetes and obesity treatment; cardiovascular medicines; HIV research; natural products; nanotechnology; pharmaceutical biotechnology; medical imaging breakthroughs; regenerative medicines; patient treatment and care and women's health.

Conference delegates have also been able to exchange ideas with leading pharmaceutical scientists, clinicians and internists and see top international scientists and clinicians presenting the cutting-edge discoveries, research and new therapeutic drugs, as well as future pharmaceutical opportunities in growing markets such as the Middle-East and Asia.

The 4^th ICDDT is run in conjunction with the 1st Biotechnology World Congress, from February 14-15, 2012, also at the Dubai Men's College campus. This congress will be a perfect opportunity for leading biotechnologists from around the world to undertake in-depth assessments of the challenges involved in the growing field of biotechnology and biomedical research. For more information on the 1^st BWC please visit www.biotechworldcongress.com

For more information on the 4^th ICDDT visit www.icddt.com

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About Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Founded in 1988, The Higher Colleges of Technology is the largest and most progressive of the higher educational institutions in the UAE. Since the establishment of its four founding colleges the HCT has gained a well-respected reputation for innovative learning in the UAE. Over 18,000 students attend 17 modern men's and women's campuses in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Fujairah and the western region of Madinat Zayed and Ruwais.

HCT offers more than 90 different, English-taught programs in Applied Communications, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Health Sciences and Education. These programs are all relevant to the UAE's fast growing and evolving economic sectors. Combined with the fundamental principle of educating the UAE's future leaders in business, technologies, industry and the community is a desire to make the region a nexus point for innovative and cutting edge ideas and in-practice applications.

Since its inception, HCT has focused on meeting the needs of the local economy and community while at the same time meeting international benchmarks and accreditation standards. In this process, HCT has established active and dynamic links, collaborations and relationships with many major companies and organizations in the UAE and with many of the world's leading universities and organizations. Visit www.hct.ac.ae

About Eureka Science Ltd
An innovative and dedicated international publishing and event management specialist, Eureka Science (based in Sharjah, UAE) offers a unique range of services to its clients varying from individuals to large multinational corporations, strengthened by our core values of quality, efficiency and knowledge in client service. Eureka Science offers a complete solution for the management and marketing of conferences and symposia from lining up resource persons and participants in any discipline of science, social science and humanities etc. to promotional activities and managing funds. Visit www.eureka-science.com

For more information, contact:
Paul Lancaster, Office of the Vice Chancellor, HCT. Phone: 02 404 8543. Mobile: 050 616 0964
Email: paul.lancaster@hct.ac.ae

Hasina Habib, Corporate Manager Eureka Science. Phone: 06 557 5783. Mobile: 050 540 6805
Email: hasina@eureka-science.com

© Press Release 2012