Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced a strategic agreement with German biotechnology company Bayer aimed at establishing a framework to explore collaboration across health, life sciences, food security, philanthropy and innovation ecosystems.

The agreement, which provides a basis for both organisations to identify and explore opportunities that leverage Bayer's global scientific capabilities and Abu Dhabi's growing innovation ecosystem, was signed during the state visit of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Germany. 

Areas of collaboration include agriculture and food security, including potential field trials to understand crop performance in desert and arid conditions; healthcare innovation and access to advanced therapies; health and food security philanthropy, including healthcare access; and engagement with Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem, including research institutions, accelerators and technology programmes.

The MoU was signed by Mohammad Ali Al Kamali, ADIO Chief Trade and Industry Officer and Matthias Berninger, the Executive Vice President, Head of Public Affairs, Sustainability and Safety, on behalf of Bayer in the presence of  Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment and Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

Through the agreement, ADIO and Bayer aim to strengthen knowledge exchange and build connections across relevant stakeholders to support the development of future initiatives that contribute to more resilient and sustainable health and food systems. 

The collaboration supports the development of ADIO's Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) and AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance clusters, strengthening Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for healthcare innovation and advanced life sciences while advancing the UAE's food security ambitions, it added.-TradeArabia News Service