New Agreement Aims to Drive Biomedical Innovation and Strengthen Global Investment
Barbados is taking a bold step into the future of healthcare. On February 19, 2025, the island signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European biotech firm Biomedx, paving the way for cutting-edge pharmaceutical research, global investment, and groundbreaking medical advancements.
At the heart of this partnership is a mission to transform the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases—such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions—among people of African descent, a group that has long been overlooked in clinical trials. Over the next two years, a pilot study in Barbados will collect patient data and biological samples, using advanced technologies like DNA sequencing and proteomics to develop better, more effective treatments tailored to Black populations.
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A Vision for a Healthier Future
Speaking at the signing event, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Marsha Caddle highlighted how this collaboration fits into Barbados’ long-term economic strategy.
“When we took office in 2018 and introduced the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan, we identified biotechnology as a key area where Barbados could lead,” she said. “Now, with economic recovery behind us, we are focused on growth and transformation.”
Caddle also emphasized how artificial intelligence and molecular technology will allow Barbados to analyze health trends and provide real solutions. “If we can improve research into conditions like cardiovascular disease, we can not only help our own people but also make a global impact.”
Real Solutions for Real People
Prime Minister Mia Mottley called the agreement a game-changer, reinforcing Barbados’ ambition to become a global hub for pharmaceutical research.
“This didn’t happen overnight,” she noted. “We’ve been laying the groundwork through discussions with the World Health Organization, the European Investment Bank, and leaders from Rwanda and Guyana.”
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Mottley stressed the urgent need for more inclusive medical research, particularly in diabetes treatment.
“Right now, less than seven percent of people included in pharmaceutical trials come from an African background,” she revealed. “That’s alarming, especially considering the diabetes crisis we’re facing. Too many Bajans are losing limbs or suffering kidney failure because their medication isn’t designed for them. This partnership is about changing that.”
She also recognized the European Union’s role in helping Barbados develop a strong pharmaceutical regulatory framework—an essential step in attracting biotech investment.
A Shared Commitment to Medical Innovation
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in Barbados for the CARICOM Summit, reaffirmed the EU’s support for the region’s pharmaceutical independence.
“We all learned during COVID how vulnerable we are. That’s why we stand with Barbados in its pursuit of pharmaceutical sovereignty—medicines made in the Caribbean, for the Caribbean, and beyond,” she said. She also announced PharmaNext, a new initiative aimed at strengthening biomedical investment and regulatory cooperation between Europe and the Caribbean.
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Building a World-Class Biotech Hub
The connection between Barbados and Biomedx was first established through the bioRN Life Science Cluster during a 2024 delegation visit to Heidelberg, Germany.
With the official signing of the MoU by Export Barbados CEO Mark Hill and Biomedx founders Gerhard Ries and Christian Tidona, the island has taken a major step toward becoming a leader in pharmaceutical research, biotech investment, and personalized medicine. The initiative will focus on creating health solutions designed specifically for Caribbean and African populations.
This agreement follows another milestone—the launch of the Barbados Living Laboratory, a cutting-edge research facility dedicated to driving medical innovation, enhancing healthcare services, and solidifying Barbados’ role as a leader in biotechnology.
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