Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre appoints Majid Jafar to its advisory council
The Advisory Council, led by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, supports the OHC's mission to deliver new treatments for the nearly half a billion people affected by rare diseases worldwide. Council members are leaders of relevant industries and sectors, from different regions of the world who bring expertise, resources and networks towards the initial goal of developing 40 new drugs for rare diseases in the next 10 years.
Jafar is a distinguished business leader serving as Vice-Chairman of the Crescent Group and CEO of Crescent Petroleum, based in the United Arab Emirates, and is the first person to be appointed to the Council from the GCC and Middle East, a region with over 30 million people affected by rare diseases.
He is a prominent, global rare disease advocate and philanthropist with a strong commitment to driving positive social change in healthcare and education, with extensive networks and interests in business, investment and philanthropy in the US, Europe and the Middle East. Among his roles, Mr. Jafar is the co-founder, with his wife Lynn, of the Loulou Foundation, a private non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing science and treatments for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects their eldest daughter, Alia. The Loulou Foundation has funded important research projects at leading universities and institutions in the US, Europe and Asia, with a total of over 60 projects at 45 different institutions.
Jafar also sits on various non-profit boards including the Board of Fellows of Harvard Medical School, where he co-chairs the Discovery Council, and is a member of the Academy of the University of Pennsylvania and the Global Precision Medicine Council of the World Economic Forum, as well as co-chairing the campaign for Cambridge Children's Hospital in the UK.
David Cameron, Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Majid to the OHC Advisory Council. His extensive experience within the business and investment communities and in policy engagement - alongside his philanthropic efforts in education and healthcare - make him an invaluable addition to our team. Furthermore, as a parent of a child with a rare disease, Majid has a deep empathy with families in similar situations as they seek a diagnosis and treatment. We look forward to his contribution to the Council and to his support of the OHC as it continues its groundbreaking work in rare disease research and development of new treatments for patients worldwide.'
Majid Jafar commented: 'I am honoured to join the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council. Supporting the development of innovative treatments for rare diseases is a cause close to my heart with my family's own experience deeply shaping my commitment to delivering urgently needed treatments to rare disease patients. I look forward to helping advance the OHC's mission by fostering key partnerships in new regions and sourcing philanthropic investment that can accelerate progress for the many patients in need.'
Matthew Wood, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the OHC, added: 'Majid brings a unique perspective to our Advisory Council, with his strong leadership background and dedication to advancing healthcare. His commitment to social impact, coupled with his ability to expand the OHC's reach into new regions, will be instrumental as we work towards delivering rare disease drugs in the coming years. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to his contributions to our mission.'
Majid Jafar joins Lord Cameron (Chair of the OHC's Advisory Council and Former UK Prime Minister), Professor Sir John Bell (President, Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, and former Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University), Baroness Nicola Blackwood (Chair of Genomics England and of Oxford University Innovation), John F. Crowley (President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Association (BIO)), Ronald G. Harrington (a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute), and Jonathan S. Stamler, MD (President and co-founder of Harrington Discovery Institute and Distinguished University Professor of Medicine), on the OHC Advisory Council.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Sharjah issues decision to regulate health activities, professions
The Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), during its meeting, on Tuesday, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of the Council, issued a decision regarding the regulation of practising health activities and professions in the Emirate of Sharjah. The provisions of the decision apply to local health establishments affiliated with the government of the emirate, as well as private health facilities in the emirate and free zones. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Vice Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), chaired the SEC meeting, on Tuesday, held at the Sharjah Ruler's Office. At the start of the meeting, the SEC extended its congratulations to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of Faya being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The SEC affirmed that this historic achievement reflects Sharjah's rich historical and archaeological value. It also documents humanity's ability to adapt in the region across different eras and periods, and crowns the Emirate's research and scientific efforts to preserve its historical and human heritage. The SEC praised the approval by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah of a new batch of housing support beneficiaries in the Emirate, designated for urgent cases, with a budget of AED335 million. This reflects His Highness' commitment to ensuring a dignified life and supporting families in ways that enhance their stability and social cohesion. The SEC reviewed the final accounts report for the year 2024, which outlines the actual financial results, expenditures, and revenues for government and independent departments and entities in the Emirate of Sharjah for the 2024 fiscal year. The SEC issued a decision regarding the regulation of practising health activities and professions in the Emirate of Sharjah. The provisions apply to local health establishments affiliated with the Government of Sharjah and private health facilities in the Emirate and free zones, as well as professionals working in those establishments. The provisions do not apply to federal government health facilities operating in the Emirate. The decision aims to achieve the following: Establish an integrated system for health regulation management concerned with the development of health facility licensing services by the Sharjah Health Authority, as well as the licensing of health professionals and the assurance of quality healthcare services. Promote good governance standards by reinforcing the principles of transparency, fairness, and legal accountability in the Emirate's healthcare sector. Lay down the legal foundations for practising health professions to ensure their advancement and the provision of the best healthcare services to individuals. The decision also includes legal provisions related to the powers of the Sharjah Health Authority, committees on accountability, medical practice and grievances, as well as regulations for the practice of health activities and professions, conditions and procedures for issuing health facility permits and professional health licences, along with administrative penalties, fees, judicial enforcement, and other legal stipulations.
Gulf Today
25-06-2025
- Gulf Today
FNC calls for reviewing housing installments, social allowance system
During its 12th session in Abu Dhabi, chaired by Saqr Ghobash, the Federal National Council (FNC) called for a comprehensive review of the social allowance system and housing installment policies, linking them to the number of children in a family. The FNC also urged the inclusion of fertility treatments under insurance coverage across all UAE emirates. It recommended that the social allowance and housing installments, based on the Cabinet decision No. 6 of 1981 should be linked to family size and loan repayment periods. Maternity leave duration and breastfeeding hours under the Federal Human Resources Law and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 on labour relations were requested to re-discussed. The FNC requested to study granting childcare leave for working mothers in public and private sectors, explore reducing work hours for mothers, and assess its impact on career paths and financial benefits. The FNC has called for the launch of a comprehensive national strategy aimed at enhancing fertility rates in the UAE. The strategy should include clear performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of government programmes and initiatives. The Council emphasised the need to strengthen government initiatives which encourage and facilitate early marriage for young men and women. It also stressed the importance of developing qualitative and quantitative indicators to ensure the effectiveness of existing health policies aimed at increasing fertility rates. The Council has recommended the establishment of a Federal Fertility Centre, taking into account the geographic distribution of existing centres. The proposal includes a comprehensive plan to attract specialised professionals in the field of fertility, expand continuous medical education and training programmes, and create specialised academic programmes in collaboration with local and international universities. The Ministry of Health and Prevention was also called to coordinate with local authorities to strengthen oversight and inspection of all fertility assistance centres, with a priority to conducting specialised studies and research on factors influencing fertility rates. Additionally, the FNC urged the launch of an awareness and educational campaign highlighting the importance of boosting fertility rates and raising awareness about the risks of delaying marriage and childbirth.
Khaleej Times
03-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
Majid and Lynn Jafar honoured by top US university
The University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School has honoured Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum, and his wife Lynn Barghout Jafar, co-founders of the Loulou Foundation, for their work in advancing medical research and innovation and for supporting children with special needs through the High Hopes Therapy Center in the UAE. The honorary doctorate degrees, presented at the university's 2025 Commencement ceremony by Chancellor Michael Collins, highlight their role in accelerating scientific and therapeutic progress in the field of rare diseases — an area that remains significantly underdiagnosed and underserved, with the vast majority of conditions still lacking approved treatments. More than 350 million people are affected by rare diseases worldwide, with 70% of them children. While over 7,000 rare diseases have been identified, 95% still lack approved treatments. Majid Jafar commented: 'We are deeply honoured by this recognition from UMass Chan Medical School. It affirms what can be achieved when purpose-driven collaboration meets urgency — especially in the field of rare diseases, where so many families are still waiting for new treatments. The UAE has long recognised the importance of medical innovation, and we remain committed to contributing to this global effort to improve children's lives and accelerate meaningful change.' Umass Chan Medical School is among the leading medical schools in the United States and last year entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Mohammed bin Rashid University (MBRU) of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dubai. The commencement ceremony also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Dr Marcia McNutt, President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and Dr Carolyn Clancy, Assistant Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Lynn Barghout Jafar, co-founder of the Loulou Foundation and Founder of the High Hopes Therapy Center in Dubai, added: 'When our own daughter was diagnosed with a rare disease, what began as a personal journey quickly became a global mission to connect families and scientists in the pursuit of answers. We are grateful to be part of a growing community that is transforming the future of rare disease research through science, collaboration, and hope'. In March this year Majid and Lynn Jafar personally hosted a Charity Suhoor in support of Al Jalila Foundation's Child Fund in the UAE, raising Dh50 million — the largest donor-led fundraiser since the Foundation's inception in 2013. Held under the theme 'An Evening of Hope', the gathering brought together business leaders and philanthropists to support life-saving medical treatment and research for children in need. In addition to his work with Loulou Foundation which as supported more than 100 research projects in labs around the world since its founding in 2015, Majid Jafar co-chairs the international campaign for Cambridge Children's Hospital, serves on the advisory board of the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre — chaired by former UK Prime Minister David Cameron — and is a member of the Board of Fellows and co-chairs the Discovery Council at Harvard Medical School. In his professional capacity, in addition to serving as CEO of Crescent Petroleum, the Middle East's oldest private oil and gas company, Majid Jafar is the Board Managing Director of Dana Gas and Vice Chairman of the Crescent Group, headquartered in Sharjah in the UAE. Lynn Barghout Jafar established High Hopes Pediatric Therapy Center in 2017 as an early intervention facility in the UAE that caters to over 300 children with moderate to complex special needs - a place where they can develop, progress, and also have fun under the supervision of the most experienced and specialized therapists.
