IPM Take
This is not only a rare eye disease trial. It is a signal that regions outside the usual US and European trial map are trying to build local capacity for precision medicine. Abu Dhabi’s role matters because inherited retinal disease requires genetic diagnosis, specialist imaging, surgical capability, patient recruitment and long-term follow-up. If those pieces can be built locally, rare disease patients may no longer need to depend entirely on distant research systems.
Executive Summary
On 23 March 2026, the Department of Health Abu Dhabi announced the launch and funding of the UAE’s first gene therapy clinical trial targeting MerTK-related retinitis pigmentosa. The trial will evaluate an investigational AAV-based gene therapy developed by Opus Genetics for a rare inherited eye disease that causes progressive vision loss and currently has no approved treatment. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will serve as the clinical site, while IROS, the Innovative Research Oversight and Support division of M42, will oversee trial design, patient recruitment and clinical operations. Clinical development activities are expected to begin in 2026.
Why it matters
- Public authorities: Abu Dhabi is using funding, regulation and clinical infrastructure to position itself as a regional precision medicine hub.
- Hospitals / providers: Rare eye gene therapy requires specialist retinal imaging, surgical delivery, genetic confirmation and long-term follow-up capacity.
- Patients / advocates: Local trial infrastructure could reduce dependence on distant research centres for patients with inherited retinal disease.
Previously, patients with inherited retinal diseases in many regions had limited local access to advanced diagnostics, gene therapy trials or specialist research infrastructure. Access often depended on referral abroad or participation in trials concentrated in major Western centres.
What has changed is the creation of a local clinical trial platform in Abu Dhabi for a genetically defined retinal disease. The study will evaluate OPGx-MERTK, an investigational AAV-based gene therapy designed to deliver a functional copy of the MERTK gene to retinal cells. Mutations in MERTK impair retinal recycling processes and can lead to progressive degeneration and vision loss.
The eligible population will be patients with MerTK-related retinitis pigmentosa who meet the trial criteria. This is not a general retinitis pigmentosa treatment, nor is it an approved therapy. It remains an investigational gene therapy programme with clinical development activities expected to begin in 2026.
The implementation message is clear: rare eye gene therapy is not just about the product. It requires a regional ecosystem capable of genetic confirmation, surgical delivery, imaging, follow-up and patient protection. Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as part of that ecosystem.
