UAE Healthcare Group Partners with Leading Spaceflight Services Provider for Pioneering Medical Research Project in Space

• Unveiled at New York’s Times Square, the partnership marks a major step in advancing medicine through space technology.

In a groundbreaking development for the UAE’s healthcare and space research sectors, Abu Dhabi-based Burjeel Holdings has announced a significant medical research collaboration with Axiom Space, a global leader in human spaceflight services. The partnership was unveiled during a special event at New York’s iconic Times Square, marking a major step forward in the intersection of medicine and space technology.

This long-term collaboration with US-based Axiom Space, renowned for its comprehensive missions to the International Space Station (ISS), will focus on advancing medical research in microgravity. The aim is to explore new avenues for medical innovation by leveraging the unique environment of space to study how the human body responds to microgravity.

Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the ISS while also developing its successor, Axiom Station—the world’s first commercial space station in low-Earth orbit. This pioneering station will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back to Earth.

• Next-Generation Healthcare Solutions

As their first initiative, Axiom Space and Burjeel are working on sending a suite of medical capabilities to space to further science research on how the human body reacts in microgravity. The suite consists of best-in-class technologies used in hospitals and clinics around the world, including Burjeel Holdings’ flagship facility Burjeel Medical City (BMC). The research seeks to study how the microgravity environment affects relevant biomarkers, drug substance quality, and remote health services. 

Axiom Space astronaut(s) intend to wear and operate these technologies remotely throughout their training, launch, and during Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which is scheduled to launch next spring. The data gathered from these experiments will enhance scientific understanding of health in space and pave the way for healthcare innovations on Earth.

The event was attended by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, along with Mr. John Sunil, Group CEO.

“Through our groundbreaking partnership with Axiom Space, we are not only advancing the frontiers of medical innovation in microgravity but also ensuring that patients in the UAE and around the globe benefit from next-generation healthcare solutions. This collaboration aligns seamlessly with the UAE’s ambitious vision for space exploration.

Just as we continue to benefit from innovations born from space missions over 50 years ago—transforming everything from telecommunications to medical imaging—this partnership represents a commitment to leveraging the unique environment of space to develop and enhance treatment methodologies. Ultimately, we are laying the foundation for improved patient outcomes today and for generations to come,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil.

Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist at Axiom Space, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Burjeel Holdings, noting how Axiom Space is creating opportunities for organizations worldwide to conduct medical research in space. “We are reimagining how humans live and work in low-Earth orbit by utilizing microgravity to deepen our understanding of the human body. At the same time, we are educating the global community on how to harness the microgravity environment for scientific and technological advancements that benefit humanity,” said Dr. Lucie Low.

This collaboration is poised to push the boundaries of medical research while expanding access to healthcare innovations. Further details about the partnership will be revealed in the coming months.