Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A new major strategic partnership between the UAE’s leading healthcare provider, American Hospital Dubai and Enterprise Ireland, the Irish Government agency for innovation and trade, has been formed that will pave the way for increased access to world leading healthcare innovation from Ireland.

At the signing ceremony held at American Hospital Dubai, Dara Calleary T.D., Ireland’s Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, witnessed the signing of the partnership conducted by Sherif Beshara, Group Chief Executive Officer at American Hospital and Jennifer Melia, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland.

This partnership will provide gateway opportunities for Irish companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to collaborate with the American Hospital Dubai to solve health challenges and increase access to cutting edge healthcare innovation.

Focused on advancing health and life science through commercialisation, innovation and research, the partnership is designed to bolster collaboration and improvement of patient health and care experience through innovative medical devices, digital health solutions, and therapeutics. Research collaboration will focus on identifying opportunities for clinical research and clinical trial activities.

Welcoming the new strategic partnership, Minister Dara Calleary T.D. said, “Ireland is a leading developer and supplier of healthcare innovation and one of the world’s top five global medtech hubs, working with the healthcare community to help improve patient outcomes, and ultimately helping clinicians to save lives. Today’s landmark announcement by American Hospital Dubai and Enterprise Ireland will open the door to further healthcare innovation and even closer collaboration between Ireland and the UAE. Irish health innovators export to over 100 countries worldwide and are recognised for their world leading solutions.”

Sherif Beshara, CEO of American Hospital Dubai, welcoming the partnership, said, “It is a privilege to be the first private healthcare facility in the Middle East to join hands with Enterprise Ireland on this landmark partnership. As a healthcare leader, American Hospital Dubai has always invested in the power of partnerships for the greater good because we believe knowledge-sharing, education and capacity-building are the best tools to shape transformation. Our comprehensive collaboration with Enterprise Ireland will open new horizons in healthcare innovations, patient care and medical solutions, and we are excited to explore the opportunities together.”

Through this landmark partnership – a first for the Middle East region – American Hospital Dubai and Enterprise Ireland will work closely to collaborate in the following areas:

  • Regular and ongoing engagement to help match innovation needs by American Hospital with leading healthcare innovators in Ireland;
  • Visits to Ireland by American Hospital clinicians and executives to see first-hand the healthcare innovations in action and development;
  • Explore potential areas for co-development or commercialization of innovations between American Hospital and leading Enterprise Ireland supported healthcare companies;
  • The American Hospital will assist Enterprise Ireland supported companies seeking to partner with a healthcare provider in the UAE, where appropriate;
  • Facilitate meetings with or introductions to administrative and clinical leaders across the UAE for for Enterprise Ireland supported healthcare companies; 
  • Explore opportunities to introduce and validate new products and services provided by leading Irish health innovators across the American Hospital sites; and,
  • Explore further opportunities for both parties to engage in mutually beneficial opportunities.

Eamon Sikafi, Commercial Counsellor at Enterprise Ireland MENA leading healthcare and life sciences across MENA, noted the significance of this initiative for both the UAE and Irish healthcare communities, he said, “Irish healthcare companies enjoy a good relationship with their UAE counterparts which has seen Irish innovation across the UAE’s healthcare landscape continue to increase year on year. This agreement, with the American Hospital Dubai, will lead to further unlock opportunities for partnership.

In the Medtech and life sciences sectors, Ireland has forged a strong global reputation for the leading innovations from companies based there which export worldwide to healthcare providers to support better outcomes for patient care. Recognised as the home of high-tech healthcare, Ireland is one of the world’s top five Medtech hubs with nine of the top 10 Medtech businesses being based there. It also sees 18 of the top 25 medical devices manufacturers based in the country, demonstrating the strength of the uniquely collaborative ecosystem of indigenous companies at all stages or growth, multinationals complimented by a highly competitive innovation and research eco-system.

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About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish Government's trade and innovation agency. We invest in the most innovative Irish companies through all stages of their growth and connect them to international customers across multiple industries. Our goal is to build successful, long-term business relationships between international companies and Irish partners. With 40 offices worldwide including the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Enterprise Ireland's teams of industry experts consult with international businesses to understand and solve their business needs.

About American Hospital Dubai

A premier private healthcare provider in the Middle East, American Hospital was established in 1996 with the goal of delivering the most effective and advanced medical care to people across the full spectrum of health conditions, through diagnosis, treatment, and management. The 254-bed, acute care, general medical/surgical private hospital has state-of-the-art facilities and an experienced team of healthcare professionals specialized in more than 40 medical and surgical specialties assuring comprehensive care.

For reference, please contact:
Robin Gordon-Farleigh,
Manara Global
E: robin@manaraglobal.com