UAE-led Suite Ride Research Unlocks Potential to Send the First Astronaut with Diabetes to Space.
The key findings from the research offer hope to over 500 million people living with diabetes and new solutions in remote healthcare
New York /AbuDhabi(News Desk): Marking a notable leap in space exploration and diabetes care, Burjeel Holdings, a leading super-specialty healthcare provider in MENA, in collaboration with Axiom Space, has released the preliminary results of their diabetes research āSuite Rideā, conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
A meaningful advancement for the UAE, the research concluded that everyday diabetes tools used by millions on Earth can be used comprehensively to provide end-to-end diabetes monitoring from space to ground and back to space. It opens the door to future astronauts with diabetes and provides new solutions in remote healthcare.
Building on these findings, Burjeel Holdings has announced its ambition to send the first astronaut with diabetes into space at a ceremony celebrating the success of Suite Ride held at the Burjeel Institute for Global Health, New York, in the presence of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil,
Founder and Chairman, Burjeel Holdings, and Tejpaul Bhatia, CEO, Axiom Space. Prior to the ceremony, the historic findings and the new mission were revealed at Times Square.
Creating an Inclusive Space
Burjeel Holdings and Axiom Space teamed up on the research during the Ax-4 mission where a four-member crew spent 18 days in microgravity conducting experiments. Sending up a full suite of remote care capabilities, the Suite Ride initiative explored how to manage diabetes in space,Ā marking a meaningful step toward making spaceflight accessible for those with historically disqualifying conditions.
As per the research results, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), a wearable medical device tracking blood sugar levels in real time, and insulin pens can operate reliably in the extreme conditions of space. Early results suggest that CGM devices can perform with accuracy
comparable to Earth-based readings, enabling real-time glucose monitoring of astronauts in microgravity and can communicate readings to the ground. Insulin pens flown to the space station are now undergoing post-flight testing to evaluate the integrity of the formulation. This continues research from the Galactic 07 mission, where a successful technical demonstration was conducted, confirming that commercially available insulin pens can dispense accurate doses in microgravity, adhering to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines.
āThis isnāt just about space exploration,ā said Gavin DāElia, Global Head of Pharma, Axiom Space. āItās about inspiring people everywhere and that their goals of pursuing space exploration donāt end at diagnosis. Together, weāre advancing the potential to fly the first astronaut with diabetes, innovations in diabetes monitoring and remote healthcare.ā
Several Historic Firsts to Credit
The Suite Ride initiative delivered several historic firsts, including the first continuous glucose monitoring of crew aboard the space station, first insulin pens ever flown to station, and first validation of glucose monitoring across multiple measurement methods on the space station.
Beyond the benefits to space exploration, the research findings extend to advancing remote and underserved communities worldwide. āBurjeel Holdings initiated this study to pioneer space medicine in line with the UAEās space ambitions. Besides opening the door for astronauts with diabetes, these findings will also transform the way we deliver care here on Earth. From 250 miles above Earth to 25 miles offshore on oil rigs, we are advancing new models of remote care,ā said Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Medical City and Clinical Lead of the BurjeelāAx-4 Space Health Research.
The research builds on a long tradition of space-driven medical innovation. In the 1970s, a miniaturized pump designed for the Viking Mars lander was adapted into the worldās first wearable insulin pump and used by millions of patients. The Suite Ride initiative represents theĀ next chapter in this legacy, opening space to populations previously excluded and advancing real-time medical monitoring for extreme environments on Earth and beyond.
As a new chapter in space and health begins, Burjeel Holdings will continue working to develop innovative solutions in chronic disease management for use on and off the planet, further strengthening the UAEās leadership in space health and global healthcare innovation.
