Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children Marks Six Years of Transforming Children’s Health Worldwide

London: The Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children (ZCR), a partnership between Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), University College London (UCL), and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, today celebrated its sixth anniversary, recognising groundbreaking progress in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of children with rare and complex diseases. According to Emirates News Agency, to mark its sixth anniversary, the Zayed Centre launched its annual impact report 2024/2025, highlighting the advancements in gene and cell therapies. Since opening in 2019, the Zayed Centre for Research has united world-leading scientists and clinicians under one roof to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to real-world patient treatments. This vision, made possible by the £60 million gift from H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, continues to deliver results for children and families worldwide. Professor Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister for Medical Affairs and Life Sciences at the UAE Minis try of Foreign Affairs, stated: 'The Zayed Centre for Research stands as a beacon of what can be achieved through international partnership and science united by purpose. As we mark our sixth anniversary, we celebrate not only the lives already transformed but also the possibilities that lie ahead.' Pioneering achievements from 2024/25 include the use of a new heart imaging technique, HiP-CT, which reveals the heart's structure in detail, global collaborations for faster diagnosis of epilepsy in children, and advancements in tissue engineering. The Centre's work includes 93 active projects with over £41 million of external funding in areas such as gene, stem and cellular therapies, tissue engineering, and the acceleration of new techniques in cancer treatment. Louise Parkes, Chief Executive of GOSH Charity, remarked on the significance of the partnership in transforming children's lives through research and innovation. She expressed gratitude for the generosity of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, which has made these achievements possible. Among the achievements of the year, the Zayed Centre for Research continues to welcome partnerships with key entities from the United Arab Emirates, including a recent collaboration with the Kalimat Foundation, which donated a mobile children's library to Great Ormond Street Hospital as part of its 'Pledge a Library' initiative.