Since the establishment of the National Registry for COVID-19, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has received more than 200 scientific research projects. Developed in coordination with the Advanced Technology Research Council, the National Registry for COVID-19 aims to support research and development (R&D) initiatives for scientific discoveries in the battle against the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Abu Dhabi COVID-19 Institutional Review Committee Board evaluated and approved the research projects in accordance with international practices. The Board worked around the clock and reviewed all projects within a week from the submission date. According to a WAM report, the Board has approved 174 research studies as of now, out of which 13 have been completed and are under the process of publication.

The research studies are focusing on a wide range of topics, of which 76 studies are significantly drawing attention to the ways to tackle the fundamental research questions related to the transmission of the virus. They also address state-of-the-art diagnostics as the focal point of their research. Furthermore, 88 research studies are particularly concentrating on the epidemiology of the virus whereas 18 studies are focusing on COVID-19 management, treatment, and new drugs to be tested to combat the virus.

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Director of Healthcare Quality Division at DoH, noted that the National Research Registry for COVID-19 has provided a solid foundation to researchers and professionals working on pandemic management to carry out their studies. The Department has received several promising research projects that will contribute to strengthening innovation and rapid scientific discovery to tackle the virus.

"These projects will have a tangible impact on improving the delivery of high-quality healthcare to patients with the direct results of the research process, create automation and become the flagship for medical research in the region and worldwide," Dr Al Mannaei added.

The committee has also reviewed a number of clinical trials focused on proving the effectiveness of internationally-used drugs in the treatment of COVID-19. These studies are also working on finding a possible vaccine to combat COVID-19 using its DNA or formation of antibodies against the virus. Significantly, clinical trials that are underway in Abu Dhabi are the first phase III clinical trials of a COVID-19 inactivated vaccine in the world.

The Registry is supporting these projects in a number of ways, including preventing the duplication of projects and redundancy of research activities. At the same time, the Registry is also taking steps to assist experts to focus on the key goals of every research project.

The Registry is taking steps to ensure that research efforts are consolidated and have more relevant data such that they become more effective and impactful in establishing scientific claims. This will further lead the decision-makers in their strategic direction. The entity also allows various departments and institutions to work collaboratively for the creation of better projects and collections of reliable data.

Amid these developments, the DoH is also exploring various opportunities through which healthcare and academic institutions can collaborate to support and boost COVID-19 research projects. These institutions include SEHA, Mubadala Healthcare, Zayed Military Hospital, King’s College Hospital London, as well as UAE University, Khalifa University and New York University Abu Dhabi.

The DoH is also actively working at a global level to collaborate with leading international organisations to support and contribute to the research projects being carried out in Abu Dhabi. These international institutions and organisations include Harvard University, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Monash University, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona and Sanofi, a global biopharmaceutical company.

In addition, the DoH is engaging with the DHA in the National IRB for COVID-19 research that was launched by the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the fight against the pandemic. 

WAM