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The ground-breaking initiative will provide compelling insights into the genetic and lifestyle determinants of non-communicable diseases among Emiratis
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Upjohn, a Pfizer division, announced entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) with the aim of cooperating on vital health initiatives.
This MoU will focus on improving the health of the people of the UAE and the GCC region – through building capacity for clinical research and supporting researchers across a wide field of investigations, including compiling real-world data, and then analysing it.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the UAE Healthy Future study, a long-term study which specifically explores the genetic and lifestyle determinants of chronic diseases among Emiratis. As the first prospective cohort study in the UAE, the UAE Healthy Future study will provide unique and substantive evidence for both lifestyle and genetic determinants of common diseases in the UAE population.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs cause 71% of all deaths worldwide every year – a figure that amounts to some 41 million people. Of these deaths, 85% are in emerging markets, with 33% (more than a third) being premature ones that occur every two seconds[i]. In the UAE, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses and diabetes being are the most prevalent non-communicable diseases[ii].
The signing of the MoU reinforces Upjohn’s focus and aspiration to become the leading end-to-end provider of healthcare solutions – from investment in research to define the epidemiology of chronic diseases, to campaigns focusing on health awareness to improve health literacy to solutions up to and beyond the pill.
Upjohn’s vision to reducing chronic diseases is in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda aimed at combatting chronic, lifestyle-related diseases[iii].
The MoU was signed by Dr. Amrit Ray, Global President, R&D and Medical at Upjohn and NYUAD’s Provost Professor Fabio Piano, at a ceremony held on the NYUAD campus.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Amrit Ray, Global President, R&D and Medical at Upjohn, commented: “At Upjohn, patients are integral to our mission and ambition to relieve the global burden of chronic diseases – be it cardiovascular, diabetes, or respiratory illnesses. We are focused on taking innovative measures to increase health literacy that can encourage the early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and drive awareness about risk factors. Our MoU with a valuable partner like NYU Abu Dhabi is a significant step towards realising this vision, and is a testament to Upjohn’s efforts towards advancing patient healthcare.”
NYUAD Provost Fabio Piano said, “NYU Abu Dhabi value Pfizer Upjohn’s support and partnership as we seek to understand and contribute to a healthier future for the UAE. This MoU is a significant milestone for NYUAD's Public Health Research Centre and its pioneering UAE Healthy Future study and will enable our researchers to expand the study more broadly, increasing the pool of potential participants and extending the reach and impact of this landmark study."
To date, over 7,000 Emiratis have signed up to take part in the UAE Healthy Future Study, with an aim of reaching 20,000 by March 2021. To learn more about the study or to book an appointment, visit http://uaehealthyfuture.ae
ABOUT UPJOHN, A PFIZER DIVISION
With over 130 years of experience in improving patient lives, Pfizer Upjohn seeks to leverage our portfolio, global experience and expertise to become the trusted partner of choice for all stakeholders committed to improving patient health. We focus on relieving the burden of non-communicable diseases with trusted, quality medicines for every patient, everywhere, with the goal of treating 225 million new patients by 2025. Upjohn brings together 20 of the industry’s most trusted brands with world-class medical, manufacturing and commercial expertise in more than 100 markets. Upjohn’s network of over 12,000 colleagues works together to be fast, focused and flexible to ensure that patients around the world access the healthcare they need.
ABOUT PFIZER INC.: Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
ABOUT NYU ABU DHABI
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and science campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly-selective liberal arts, engineering and science curriculum with a world center for advanced research and scholarship enabling its students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from more than 115 nations and speak over 115 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.
UAE HEALTHY FUTURE STUDY
The UAE Healthy Future Study is the first long-term study aimed at understanding and providing substantive evidence for environmental, lifestyle, and genetic determinants of common diseases in the UAE population, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. All UAE Nationals between the ages of 18 and40 are invited to volunteer by participating in a confidential health assessment and future follow up that will contribute to a healthier future in the UAE. www.UAEHealthyFuture.ae
[i] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases
[ii] https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/are_en.pdf
[iii] https://www.vision2021.ae/en/national-agenda-2021/list/world-class-circle
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