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Since its establishment in 2015, the Loulou Foundation has made over 90 research grant awards Image Credit: Supplied

Shaikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and patron of the MENA Rare Diseases Annual Meeting 2023, presented the Outstanding Achievement for Rare Diseases Award (Nodra Award) to the Loulou Foundation for its advancement of research into rare diseases and genomic medicine.

Majid Jafar, Co-Founder of the Loulou Foundation, said: “The Loulou Foundation is honoured to receive this award at the MENA Organisation for Rare Diseases Annual Meeting. This important conference is a testament to the UAE’s support for patients with rare diseases and their families. With advances in research and genomic medicine, more advanced treatment options are now becoming a reality. And through collaborations with governments, private and public sectors and bringing international experts together, we pave the way towards improving patient outcomes and future prospects for those living with rare diseases in the UAE and worldwide.”

Since its establishment in 2015, the Loulou Foundation has made over 90 research grant awards, supporting more than 60 primary investigators and over 200 scientists in 11 countries across four continents around the world.

The first MENA Rare Disease Annual Meeting conference which took place from 3rd – 5th March, brought together medical experts to connect and exchange knowledge and increase awareness, advance research, and provide better care for individuals with rare diseases.

An estimated 7,000 rare diseases affect over 350 million people worldwide – more than cancer, malaria and tuberculosis combined.