Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, congratulated Dr Nabil Seidah on receiving the Great Arab Minds 2025 award in the medicine category. His Highness emphasized the Arab world's significant contributions to medical science and acknowledged the ongoing advancements driven by exceptional Arab talent.
According to Emirates News Agency, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed expressed his congratulations on X, highlighting Dr Seidah's affiliation with Egypt's scientific community and his role as Director of the Biochemical Neuroendocrinology Research Unit at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal (IRCM). Dr Seidah's groundbreaking work in understanding heart health and cholesterol regulation has been pivotal. His research on the biological processes related to fat processing has led to the development of new drugs that lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk. He has published over 820 scientific papers, which have been cited more than 71,000 times.
His Highness also noted the Arab region's long-standing contributions to medical science and expressed confidence in the current and future generations' ability to continue this crucial journey for humanity. The Great Arab Minds initiative, launched by His Highness, aims to recognize outstanding Arab talent across six fields, including medicine, engineering and technology, natural sciences, architecture and design, and economics, to renew the Arab region's contribution to global knowledge and scientific progress.
The 2025 Medicine Award was bestowed upon Dr Seidah for his contributions to heart health and cholesterol regulation. Notably, he discovered the PCSK9 enzyme, which plays a crucial role in controlling blood cholesterol levels. His work on PCSK9 inhibitors has been instrumental in developing medicines that lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. Beyond heart health, Dr Seidah has also contributed to research on fatty liver disease, obesity disorders, cancer prevalence, and viral mechanisms, aiding in the development of new treatments across various medical fields.
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chair of the Higher Committee for the Great Arab Minds initiative, informed Dr Seidah of his win via a video call, commending his research's impact on new medicines and specialized treatments through advanced scientific methods and technology. Al Gergawi emphasized the initiative's role in recognizing Arab innovators who have significantly advanced science and human development. Dr Seidah's dedication to public health and innovative treatment approaches has marked a new chapter in medical science.
The 2025 committee comprised prominent figures, including Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Prof Elias Zerhouni, Professor Emeritus at Johns Hopkins University; Prof Alawi Sheikh Ali, Director General of Dubai Health Authority; and Prof Huda Akil, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Michigan Medical School.
Great Arab Minds stands as the largest initiative of its kind in the Arab world, showcasing the achievements of leading Arab specialists and encouraging the next generation to actively participate in scientific and intellectual progress. Now in its third edition, the initiative provides the highest regional recognition in six key disciplines, supporting scientific, intellectual, cultural, and creative productivity in the Arab world. It serves as a prominent platform empowering emerging scientists, doctors, engineers, innovators, and inventors, highlighting the global prominence of Arab contributions.