BioMed X partners with Barbados to set up pioneering cardiometabolic research
BioMed X Institute has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Government of Barbados to launch BioMed X Barbados, a new research initiative tackling healthcare disparities in cardiometabolic disease treatment. The collaboration, supported by the European Commission’s PharmaNext programme, aims to address the underrepresentation of people of African descent in clinical research through advanced molecular characterisation and artificial intelligence.
Understanding the clinical need
Cardiometabolic diseases represent a growing global health challenge, with diabetes alone affecting 537 million people worldwide as of 2021. This figure is projected to increase dramatically to 783 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
Despite individuals of African descent facing a disproportionate burden of conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, they remain significantly underrepresented in clinical trials. This disparity limits the efficacy and safety profiles of standard therapies for this patient population.
Molecular characterisation meets artificial intelligence
The two-year pilot project in Barbados will employ sophisticated molecular profiling techniques combined with artificial intelligence to bridge this research gap. The team will conduct an epidemiological study collecting clinical history data and biological samples from both cardiometabolic patients and healthy individuals in Barbados.
These samples will undergo comprehensive molecular analysis using cutting-edge technologies including DNA sequencing, proteomic analysis, and flow cytometry. By integrating these datasets with existing clinical and molecular information from age- and gender-matched Caucasian subjects, researchers aim to develop AI models capable of optimising cardiometabolic treatment regimens specifically for Black populations.
International collaboration and funding
“This partnership with the Government of Barbados represents a significant step towards addressing historical inequities in biomedical research and development of new therapies,” said Dr. Christian Tidona, Managing Director of the BioMed X Institute. “Leveraging state-of-the-art molecular techniques and AI enables us to make an impact on the lives of millions of people of African descent, ensuring that they receive the best possible treatments.”
The initiative has secured initial funding from the Government of Barbados and the European Commission, with plans to attract additional investment from pharmaceutical companies, development banks, and foundations.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to building Barbados’ life sciences industry, and integrating in global value chains. Through innovation-initiatives, we are advancing healthcare solutions to challenges that directly impact our communities and beyond,” said Mark Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Export Barbados.
The collaboration represents a significant advancement in addressing healthcare disparities while positioning Barbados as an emerging biomedical research hub in the Caribbean region.
