On Wednesday 19 February 2025, Barbados signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European biotechnology firm Biomedx, making further strides in pharmaceutical research and innovation. The agreement is designed to enhance biomedical research, attract global investment, and establish Barbados as a prominent contributor to pharmaceutical advancements.

The project will focus on optimizing the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases – including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions – specifically for individuals of African descent who remain underrepresented in clinical research. The two-year pilot study in Barbados will collect patient samples and clinical history data, leveraging technologies such as DNA sequencing, proteomics, and cytometry to develop better treatment strategies for Black populations.

During the signing event, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Marsha Caddle underscored how this collaboration aligns with the government’s goal of fostering a high-skilled, knowledge-based economy.

“When we came to office in 2018 and developed the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan, we identified this as an area where Barbados could distinguish itself,” she said. “We successfully achieved recovery, and now we are focused on growth and transformation.”

Caddle highlighted that through molecular technology and artificial intelligence, Barbados now has the ability to analyse its extensive health data and derive valuable insights into prevalent health conditions. “If we can improve research into conditions like cardiovascular disease, we can contribute solutions not only for our own people but for the world.”

Prime Minister Mia Mottley described the partnership as a transformative move that builds upon previous efforts to position Barbados as a hub for pharmaceutical and biomedical research.

“This relationship did not just start,” she noted. “We laid the groundwork in discussions with the World Health Organisation, the European Investment Bank, and leaders from Rwanda and Guyana.”

She stressed the urgent necessity for medical research that specifically focuses on people of African descent, particularly in relation to diabetes treatment.

“I’m told that less than seven per cent of people tested in pharmaceutical trials come from an African background,” she said. “That’s a serious concern because we are in the middle of a diabetes epidemic. Too many Bajans are losing limbs or suffering from kidney failure because their medication may not be as effective for them. This is where the rubber meets the road,” Mottley added, stating that, “this is about real solutions for real people.”

Mottley also acknowledged the European Union’s role in assisting Barbados with the development of a pharmaceutical regulatory framework, which she described as a crucial step in making the country attractive for investment.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who attended the event while in Barbados for the CARICOM Summit, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to advancing pharmaceutical development in the region.

“We all learned during COVID how vulnerable we are. That is why we support your pharmaceutical sovereignty—medication produced in the Caribbean, for the Caribbean, and beyond,” she stated. She also announced the launch of PharmaNext, a new project aimed at strengthening biomedical investment and regulatory cooperation between Europe and the Caribbean.

The initial contact between the Government of Barbados and BioMed X was facilitated by the bioRN Life Science Cluster during a delegation visit of representatives from Barbados and Guyana to Heidelberg, Germany in 2024.

The MoU was officially signed by Export Barbados CEO Mark Hill alongside Biomedx founders Gerhard Ries and Christian Tidona, reinforcing Barbados’ ambitions to become a leader in pharmaceutical research, biotechnology investment, and personalised medicine. The initiative prioritises the development of health solutions tailored to the Caribbean and African populations.

This agreement follows the launch of the Barbados Living Laboratory on Tuesday, a cutting-edge research facility intended to drive medical innovation, elevate healthcare services, and reinforce the island’s role as a leader in biotechnology.