UAE Launches AI-Driven InSilico Medicine Project to Accelerate Drug Development
The Emirates Drug Establishment unveiled the InSilico Medicine project at World Health Expo 2026, using AI and digital models to reduce drug development costs and accelerate pharmaceutical research. EDE signed an MoU with InSilico Medicine AI Limited to formalize the collaboration.
The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) unveiled the InSilico Medicine project during its participation at the World Health Expo (WHX 2026), an AI-driven initiative aimed at cutting research and development costs and speeding up drug discovery before manufacturing begins. The initiative uses advanced digital models to streamline pharmaceutical research, improve the precision of compound evaluation, and reduce the financial burden associated with early-stage drug development.
On the sidelines of the event, EDE signed a Memorandum of Understanding with InSilico Medicine AI Limited to formalize collaboration in applying AI technologies to innovative medical product development. The agreement was signed by Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of EDE, and Dr. Alex Aliper, President of InSilico Medicine AI Limited. Both parties said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a resilient and sustainable healthcare ecosystem, strengthening pharmaceutical security, and reinforcing the UAE's position as a regional hub for pharmaceutical and health technology innovation.
The InSilico Medicine project is part of EDE's broader digital transformation agenda. By integrating generative AI and deep learning, the initiative seeks to assess drug efficacy before production begins, helping to lower R&D expenses and shorten the time needed to bring new therapies to market.
Dr. Shaikha Al Mazrouei, Director of the Reference National Laboratory Drug Department at EDE, said the collaboration will enable the deployment of advanced AI-driven design platforms based on generative models and reinforcement learning algorithms to analyze biological, chemical, and clinical data. These technologies enable more precise testing, the creation of optimized drug compounds with enhanced efficacy and safety profiles, and support predictive toxicity studies while reducing reliance on animal models during early development stages.
EDE said the initiative aligns with national priorities to localize biotechnology industries, enhance pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, and ensure the sustainable supply of high-quality medical products at competitive prices. It further reinforces national pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and competitiveness, while encouraging specialized research and product development studies within the UAE.