UWI, pharma partner to advance genetic research, target inherited diseases

A pioneering partnership between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and global pharmaceutical firm EarlyHealth Group (EHG) is set to transform the diagnosis and treatment of inherited diseases across the Caribbean, offering new hope to thousands living with conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, certain cancers and metabolic disorders.

The two organisations have joined forces to enhance clinical research and genetic testing in the region, with a focus on identifying the root causes of illnesses that disproportionately affect Caribbean people.

The initiative will also support the development of a biobank – a large repository of genetic material – to help scientists study how these diseases impact people of Caribbean descent.

Dr Damian Cohall, UWI Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, described the partnership as a significant step in building the region’s capacity for health research.

“EarlyHealth will not only support upgrades to our labs and help with regulatory training, but also give our researchers more tools to conduct studies that matter to our people,” Cohall said.

Shaquille Williams, EHG’s director of business development for the Caribbean, said the company was eager to work with UWI to open up new opportunities.

“We’re bringing our global network to support the research that UWI is already doing so well, and to help push Caribbean health priorities forward,” he said.

The partnership was supported by the Barbados Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and is being seen as an example of how international cooperation can help small countries tackle major health challenges.

The long-term goal is to improve diagnosis and treatment through precision medicine, officials said, describing it as an approach that uses genetic information to guide healthcare decisions.

They further expressed hopes that the partnership and the initiative will position Barbados and the wider region as contributors to global medical research. (SM)