Zayed Centre Marks 5 Years of Groundbreaking Achievements in Rare Disease Research

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children (ZCR), based at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide groundbreaking medical advancements for children with rare and complex diseases. Since its opening in 2019, the Centre has been at the forefront of pioneering treatments, including successfully addressing previously "incurable" leukaemia. Its work has united a dedicated team of clinicians, researchers, and scientists, all working together to improve the lives of children globally.

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The Centre has treated thousands of children each year, including 1,800 international patients in 2023, with over 300 of those coming from the UAE. The Zayed Centre is a result of a partnership between GOSH, University College London, and GOSH Charity, and was made possible through a generous £60 million donation in 2014 from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation.

Professor Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister for Medical Affairs and Life Sciences at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the Centre for combining world-leading research expertise with advanced clinical care, making it a model for transforming paediatric healthcare. She emphasized that the Centre's work is a true reflection of the humanitarian vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which is carried on by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak.

In conjunction with its fifth anniversary, the Centre has launched its annual impact report, which highlights its progress in gene-editing therapies, advancements in epilepsy diagnosis, and the use of organoids for disease modelling. These achievements demonstrate the Centre’s role as a global leader in paediatric research and treatment. 

In 2023/24, the Centre achieved major breakthroughs, including a successful clinical trial using base-edited T-cells to treat children with T-cell leukaemia, a disease previously considered incurable. Additionally, the Centre introduced new methods for faster and more accurate epilepsy diagnosis, improving outcomes for children with the condition. Its work with organoids, which are miniature functional organs, has the potential to revolutionize disease modelling and treatment. The Centre also received a Manufacturer’s Authorisation Licence from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to produce viral vectors, enabling the acceleration of clinical trials for cancer and other treatments.

Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity, noted that the Centre has played a crucial role in advancing medical innovation for rare paediatric diseases. For many children, the research conducted at the Centre is their only hope for a cure. GOSH Charity remains committed to funding such groundbreaking research to offer hope to countless young people worldwide.

Beyond clinical achievements, the Zayed Centre continues to be a hub for collaboration. It provides opportunities for medical students and professionals from the UAE to engage with world-leading experts at GOSH, and has expanded its partnerships with key healthcare entities in the UAE. This year, the Centre strengthened its collaboration with Danat Al Emarat Women and Children’s Hospital and M42 to enhance paediatric critical care across the Middle East. 

A recent visit by a delegation from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) further underscores the growing relationship between the UAE and GOSH, particularly in areas of medical research, genome therapy, and innovative technologies. This collaboration supports the shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes for children around the world.

As the Zayed Centre celebrates its five-year anniversary, it continues to be a beacon of hope for children with rare diseases and a testament to the power of collaboration, research, and philanthropy in transforming paediatric healthcare.

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