Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, part of the M42 group, is advancing the use of Teplizumab, an immunotherapy drug that delays the beginning of Type 1 diabetes in individuals diagnosed, but without symptoms. This offers hope to patients and families managing this chronic condition and marks a major milestone in diabetes treatment since insulin’s discovery over a century ago.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to reduced insulin production and eventual symptoms. Teplizumab reprograms the immune system to delay this attack, significantly extending the time before clinical diabetes develops. The drug preserves beta-cell function, which is vital for maintaining insulin production and slowing disease progression.
Clinical studies show that Teplizumab can delay the onset of clinical diabetes by 24 to 30 months. Approved for individuals aged eight and above by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) and Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), this drug is particularly valuable as Type 1 diabetes often begins in childhood or adolescence. Early management is crucial for improving quality of life and delaying disease progression.
The UAE’s approval of Teplizumab showcases its dedication to medical innovation, offering advanced therapies to its citizens and the broader region. Danat Al Emarat Hospital’s use aligns with M42’s mission to drive transformative healthcare through precision, preventive, and personalized treatments.
The introduction of Teplizumab at Danat Al Emarat Hospital marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s healthcare journey. By providing access to this innovative drug, the hospital is enhancing the lives of high-risk patients and paving the way for future advancements in diabetes management and prevention.
Image source: danatalemarat.ae
Dr. Summia Zaher, Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children’s Care, said: “Teplizumab’s use in the UAE and availability at our hospital marks a groundbreaking milestone highlighting the region’s exceptional healthcare capabilities and its position as a global hub for medical innovation. The ability to delay the need for insulin injections and constant blood sugar monitoring, even for just a few years, has the potential to be life changing. By preserving beta-cell function, this treatment provides a crucial window of opportunity for patients, allowing them to manage the condition with a reduced burden. It is a step forward in finding innovative ways to positively impact the lives of individuals at risk of developing this chronic condition, offering hope for a better quality of life.”
Dr. Abdulla Al Junaibi, Consultant Pediatric Endocrinologist and Head of Pediatric Department at Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, said: “We took the lead in using Teplizumab for treating Type 1 diabetes when the hospital was approached by a family seeking treatment for a child over eight years old who was at the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. He qualified for using the drug as there was the appearance of diabetes-related antibodies with abnormal blood sugar levels in his system. The child’s treatment journey was safe, and we are happy with the results of his ongoing blood sugar analysis and monitoring.
“The ability to offer such an advanced treatment means providing our patients and their families with greater hope and certainty. The swift adoption of this treatment within such a short timeframe underscores Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women and Children’s agility and dedication to leverage cutting-edge medical innovations. This commitment ensures that we remain at the forefront of endocrinological and diabetes care, pioneering new pathways and treatments that build a healthy community.”
About Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children
Danat Al Emarat Hospital for Women & Children, part of the M42 group, is a world-class specialty women and children’s hospital located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The five-story hospital, accredited as a clinical research center by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, covers an area of 58,000 square meters, with 225 beds. The hospital offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services including Neonatology & Pediatrics, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Women’s Diagnostics & Breast Imaging, and others, all of which are equipped with the latest technology and led by highly qualified clinicians to provide unmatched patient and family-centered care.
Our medical team is hand-picked from the international and local market specializing in numerous sub-specialties. Our 130+ consultants and primary care physicians work closely together to ensure the entire needs of women and children are addressed in a single convenient location and to the highest standards.
About M42
M42 is a global health champion powered by artificial intelligence (AI), technology and genomics to advance innovation in health for people and the planet. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, M42 combines its specialized, state-of-the-art facilities with integrated health solutions like genomics and biobanks, and harnesses advanced technologies to deliver precise, preventive and predictive care, to impactfully disrupt traditional healthcare models and positively impact lives globally.
Established in 2022, following the coming together of G42 Healthcare and Mubadala Health, M42 has more than 480 facilities in 26 countries and over 20,000 employees. M42 includes renowned healthcare providers including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Danat Al Emarat, Diaverum, Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Hospital, and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi. As well as operating the Emirati Genome Programme, M42 runs Abu Dhabi BioBank and Abu Dhabi Health Data Services (ADHDS), a global tech-enabled healthcare company operating Malaffi.
