Dubai, 24 December 2025 – In a message that underscores the United Arab Emirates’ drive toward scientific excellence, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice‑President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, extended formal congratulations to Dr Nabil Seidah for receiving the prestigious Great Arab Minds 2025 Award in the Medicine category. The honor celebrates Dr Seidah’s groundbreaking research on cholesterol regulation, a discovery that has reshaped modern cardiovascular therapy and positioned Arab medical innovation at the forefront of global health.
The Great Arab Minds Initiative: A Catalyst for Regional Innovation
Launched in 2023 by Sheikh Mohammed, the Great Arab Minds programme seeks to revive the Arab world’s historic legacy as a cradle of medical knowledge. By spotlighting achievements across six disciplines – medicine, engineering, natural sciences, architecture and design, economics, and technology – the initiative aims to inspire a new generation of scholars, entrepreneurs, and clinicians. The 2025 edition, now in its third year, represents the most extensive effort of its kind, offering the highest level of recognition for Arab talent whose work has achieved measurable global impact.
Why the Medicine Category Matters
Medicine has always been a cornerstone of Arab heritage, from the medieval hospitals of Baghdad to today’s cutting‑edge research hubs in the Gulf. The Great Arab Minds Medicine award therefore carries symbolic weight: it not only honors individual brilliance but also reinforces the UAE’s strategic vision of a knowledge‑based economy where health innovation drives economic diversification.
Dr Nabil Seidah: From Egyptian Roots to International Renown
Born and educated in Egypt, Dr Nabil Seidah now leads the Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Research Unit at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM). Over a career spanning three decades, he has authored more than 820 peer‑reviewed papers, accumulating over 71,000 citations. His work traverses lipid metabolism, fatty‑liver disease, obesity, oncogenesis, and viral entry mechanisms, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that merges biochemistry, endocrinology, and virology.
The PCSK9 Breakthrough
Dr Seidah’s most celebrated discovery is the identification of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) enzyme. By revealing that heightened PCSK9 activity blocks the removal of low‑density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream, he uncovered a critical control point in lipid metabolism. This insight laid the scientific foundation for an entirely new class of cholesterol‑lowering drugs – PCSK9‑inhibiting monoclonal antibodies.
Approved in the mid‑2010s, PCSK9 inhibitors have become a cornerstone of therapy for patients at high risk of myocardial infarction and stroke, especially those who cannot achieve target LDL levels with statins alone. Global sales now exceed several billion dollars annually, and the drugs are credited with preventing countless cardiovascular events worldwide.
Beyond Cholesterol: Expanding the Scientific Horizon
- Fatty‑liver disease: Dr Seidah’s research elucidated the role of PCSK9 in hepatic lipid accumulation, opening pathways for novel therapeutics.
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome: His laboratory identified molecular links between PCSK9 expression and adipose tissue inflammation.
- Cancer biology: Recent papers explore how PCSK9 modulates tumor micro‑environments, suggesting potential oncological applications.
- Viral entry: Collaborative studies demonstrated that certain viruses exploit PCSK9‑related pathways to infiltrate human cells, informing antiviral strategies.
Official Commendation from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
In a post on the social‑media platform X, His Highness wrote: “We congratulate the winner of the Great Arab Minds award 2025 in medicine, Dr Nabil Seidah, from Egypt’s scientific community, Director of the Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Research Unit at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal. His pioneering contributions to heart health and cholesterol regulation have paved the way for a new generation of drugs that protect millions from cardiovascular disease.”
The statement continued with a broader reflection on Arab medical heritage: “Medicine is a humanitarian mission, and our region has contributed for centuries to the development of medical sciences, practices, tools, and research. Today’s and tomorrow’s generations are capable of continuing this vital journey for humanity.”
Panel of Experts Validates the Achievement
The selection panel comprised leading figures in health and academia, including Dr Amer Sharif (CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences), Professor Elias Zerhouni (Emeritus at Johns Hopkins University), Professor Alawi Sheikh Ali (Director General of Dubai Health Authority), and Professor Huda Akil (Neuroscience professor at the University of Michigan Medical School). Their endorsement underscores the cross‑regional validation of Dr Seidah’s work.
Strategic Relevance for the UAE and the Wider Arab World
The award arrives at a pivotal moment for the United Arab Emirates, which has invested heavily in building a knowledge‑based economy. Initiatives such as the Dubai Health Authority’s research funding programmes, the establishment of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the hosting of international biomedical conferences reflect a broader ambition to position the Gulf as a hub for health innovation.
Celebrating Diaspora Excellence
By honoring a scientist whose career has largely unfolded outside the Arab region, the Great Arab Minds programme signals an inclusive definition of Arab excellence. Dr Seidah’s trajectory—from early education in Egypt to a leadership role in Canada—exemplifies the transnational flow of talent that the UAE hopes to harness through scholarships, research grants, and collaborative centres. The message is clear: Arab scholars, wherever they are, are integral to the region’s scientific future.
Addressing Regional Public‑Health Priorities
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the Middle East, driven by rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyles. The diffusion of PCSK9 inhibitors, rooted in Dr Seidah’s discoveries, could play a decisive role in curbing this trend. Health ministries across the Gulf are currently negotiating pricing and accessibility with pharmaceutical manufacturers, aiming to make these life‑saving therapies available to broader populations.
The Great Arab Minds Ecosystem: Supporting the Next Generation
Beyond the medal, winners receive mentorship opportunities, seed funding for pilot projects, and heightened visibility that can attract international partnerships. In the medicine category, past laureates have led clinical trials, founded biotech start‑ups, and advised health ministries on policy formulation.
Mentorship and Legacy
In a brief interview following the announcement, Dr Seidah emphasized the importance of mentorship: “The most rewarding aspect of my career has been training young scientists, many of whom now lead their own laboratories. I hope that recognition of Arab talent will inspire students in Cairo, Dubai, Rabat, and beyond to pursue scientific inquiry with confidence.”
Conclusion: A Milestone for Arab Scientific Leadership
The conferment of the Great Arab Minds 2025 Medicine Award on Dr Nabil Seidah marks a convergence of scientific brilliance, regional ambition, and historic legacy. By honoring a researcher whose work has directly translated into life‑saving medications, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ vision of a knowledge‑driven future where Arab intellect continues to shape global health.
As the UAE and its neighbours grapple with rising chronic disease burdens, the spotlight on cholesterol biology and cardiovascular prevention underscores the practical relevance of high‑impact research. For Dr Seidah, the accolade is both a personal milestone and a testament to the enduring capacity of Arab scholars to lead breakthroughs that benefit humanity at large.
