Burjeel’s Suite Ride initiative explores diabetes care in space aboard Ax-4 mission, marking a UAE-led milestone in global health innovation.
Dubai: In a milestone for the UAE and global medical science, the Burjeel-led Suite Ride initiative has officially launched into orbit aboard Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission from Kennedy Space Center. The research project is the first of its kind to test diabetes management technologies in microgravity, marking a bold leap in space-based healthcare innovation.
Developed by Abu Dhabi-headquartered Burjeel Holdings in collaboration with Axiom Space, Suite Ride explores how astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)—a condition previously deemed a barrier to space travel—can be safely monitored in space. Over 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the study will assess the efficacy of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and evaluate insulin stability in microgravity.
“For many, a diabetes diagnosis can feel like a closed door to extraordinary paths. We’re challenging that belief,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings. “There is no higher frontier than space to change perceptions about chronic conditions and potential.”
The Ax-4 crew, led by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, includes Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Slawosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Their research itinerary features more than 60 experiments from 31 countries. For the Suite Ride team, the focus is validating CGM data across preflight, inflight, and postflight phases to understand how these tools perform outside Earth’s gravitational influence.
Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City and Clinical Lead for the mission, is working with Axiom’s team to interpret the findings. “This research aims to extend the reach of quality diabetes care, especially to hard-to-access regions, including the MENA region,” he said.
Burjeel Medical City is commemorating the mission with a public exhibition focused on space health research. Meanwhile, the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. spotlighted Suite Ride as a major achievement in the nation’s space innovation journey.
As diabetes is projected to impact over 783 million people globally by 2045—with the MENA region seeing an 87% rise—the potential for remote and resilient healthcare solutions like Suite Ride has never been more relevant.
