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Gilead is strategically aligning its research and development initiatives with public health priorities in the Middle East, focusing on innovative therapies and community health education, particularly in areas like CAR T-cell therapy and HIV prevention.
In this interview, Vítor Papão, General Manager of Middle East, Russia, and Türkiye at Gilead Sciences, discusses the company’s recent collaborations in the UAE, the significance of public-private partnerships in enhancing healthcare, and the impact of technology and policy advancements on patient care throughout the region.
Could you elaborate on the recent Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between Gilead Sciences and the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi? What strategic goals do these agreements aim to fulfill?
These MoUs exemplify our shared goal with Abu Dhabi to enhance public health, particularly in critical areas such as virology and advanced cancer treatments including CAR T-cell therapy.
The primary objective of these agreements is to bolster local clinical research capabilities, improve access to advanced therapies, and promote early diagnosis utilizing data-driven strategies. They align perfectly with Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a regional leader in medical innovation, building on our enduring collaboration with the UAE health authorities, notably through our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Prevention since 2015.
Gilead has been a strong proponent of public-private partnerships. How do you perceive their role in accelerating medical research and innovation in the region?
Public-private collaborations are essential in fostering advancement—especially in developing research infrastructure, enhancing readiness for clinical trials, and facilitating access to innovative solutions. Over the last decade, we have collaborated closely with hospitals and public health bodies across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait to expedite the availability of advanced treatments for patients.
For example, in Saudi Arabia, our partnerships with the National Guard, East Jeddah Hospital, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital have significantly advanced research in virology and cell therapy. These collaborations not only shorten research timelines but also establish sustainable frameworks for enhancing care delivery over the long term.
What significance does Abu Dhabi and the UAE hold as a center for advanced healthcare initiatives and clinical research in Gilead’s regional strategy?
The UAE is a critical component of Gilead’s regional strategy, providing a unique environment characterized by forward-thinking regulations, sophisticated digital infrastructure, and a strong drive for innovation. These conditions have enabled us to closely collaborate with national institutions on projects that directly address public health needs.
Our long-standing partnership with the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has evolved into a broader alliance with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre focused on improving outcomes for blood-borne illnesses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. The recent MoU clearly outlines areas for cooperation, including public education, prevention efforts, and the development of integrated care pathways.
Among these initiatives, Gilead is leading efforts in the UAE to enhance early diagnosis and follow-up care via tailored awareness campaigns and scalable screening solutions.
The infrastructure and policy progress in Abu Dhabi have allowed us to test these initiatives in a manner that can influence broader strategies across the region. Instead of merely adopting innovations, the UAE is actively shaping new models for delivering infectious disease care—more proactively, equitably, and sustainably.
What therapeutic areas or diseases are being prioritized in these new initiatives?
Our focus is on areas where scientific innovation intersects with pressing health needs—particularly HIV, viral hepatitis, and oncology. In the context of HIV, we have introduced 11 antiretroviral therapies to the region and launched community engagement campaigns such as “Behind the Myths” and “Ana Faisal” in Saudi Arabia.
In the UAE, we have facilitated continuing medical education (CME) initiatives, which include a CME-accredited training module on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for primary care providers, and participated in a regional call-to-action to incorporate PrEP into national health frameworks.
This year, we hosted the 9th HIV Summit in Dubai under the theme “Life beyond HIV: Your Role, Our Future,” which gathered over 130 HIV specialists for workshops on managing complex cases and improving screening and linkage to care. These discussions have shaped new priorities for advancing HIV treatment and prevention throughout the region.
Patient perspectives are vital as well. Through our “Patient Voice” campaign, created in collaboration with community advocates, we aim to promote patient-centered healthcare models while addressing stigma that hinders testing and ongoing care.
In the oncology sector, our partnership with Kite Pharma is facilitating access to CAR T-cell therapies. In the UAE, we work with leading research institutions to develop the necessary infrastructure for these treatments and to integrate them into current oncology and hematology practices.
For viral hepatitis, we have facilitated regional scientific discussions through programs that unite hepatologists and public health experts, sharing real-world data and strategies for eliminating HBV, HCV, and HDV.
The insights gained from these forums inform our ongoing dialogues with UAE health authorities regarding surveillance, screening, and early diagnosis. We have also collaborated with liver disease associations on a position statement for hepatitis delta to enhance diagnostic procedures and increase awareness.
How is Gilead adapting its global R&D capabilities to address the specific needs of the Middle East market?
Tailoring our global capabilities to the region begins by listening to local needs, as access, education, and system readiness can vary greatly. Gilead has successfully launched over 55 products in the region. Globally, we are on track to fulfill our commitment made in 2019 to introduce over 10 innovative therapies by 2030, including expanding our pipeline in HIV and hepatitis and rolling out new treatments for oncology and inflammatory diseases.
In addition to medication, we invest in awareness and education campaigns like “Ready to be Cured” for HCV and initiatives like HIV STAR, aimed at training healthcare professionals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar to enhance diagnosis and early care linkage. Our goal is to ensure that innovation reaches the patients who most need it.
What policy measures do you believe are essential for fostering innovation, expediting regulatory approvals, and enhancing cross-border healthcare collaborations in the region?
Policy plays a pivotal role in either accelerating or obstructing the translation of innovation into tangible benefits. Disparate regulatory frameworks remain a significant challenge, even when therapies have already received approval elsewhere.
A unified approach throughout the GCC would minimize delays and promote a shared framework for clinical trials and real-world data collection.
Moreover, we need to rethink HIV testing policies to align better with actual circumstances. Earlier this year, we co-hosted the HIV Screening and Linkage to Care workshop, where stakeholders from the Middle East discussed integrating HIV testing into emergency, antenatal, and pre-marital settings while also exploring self-testing options and legal reforms to simplify consent requirements.
From a system-level perspective, the SLTC roadmap presents actionable next steps: implementing automated testing in emergency rooms, distributing at-home testing kits via pharmacies and NGOs, and standardizing referral pathways post-diagnosis.
These initiatives are not mere theoretical concepts; they are actionable strategies tailored to our region’s unique cultural and regulatory landscapes. By aligning policies with actual needs, we can construct systems that not only facilitate innovation but also ensure its sustainability.
What impact do emerging technologies, such as AI, data analytics, and digital health platforms, have on Gilead’s vision for the future in the region?
Technology is already reshaping our operations. For example, the “Ana Faisal” campaign utilized AI and digital storytelling to increase HIV awareness.
Throughout the region, we are supporting digital health solutions for self-testing, treatment compliance, and remote care, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions.
As governments enhance data infrastructure and electronic health systems, the capacity to leverage real-world evidence to guide medical care is increasing. For Gilead, it’s not just about implementing technology for its own sake; it’s about applying digital tools to expand outreach, facilitate earlier interventions, and create more interconnected and resilient healthcare systems.