Nahyan Bin Mubarak opens 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy (Expanded)

WAM Dubai, Feb 12th, 2012 (WAM) -- Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan opened in Dubai today the 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy (ICDDT).

Co-hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology and Eureka Science, the highlighting the interdisciplinary fields of pre-clinical and clinical drug discovery, drug therapy and translational medicine will run until15th this month at the Dubai Men's College.

This year it will incorporate the 1st Biotechnology World Congress (BWC), from February 14-15, 2012, also at the Dubai Men's College campus.

The BWC will see biotechnologists from around the world consider the challenges involved in the fields of biotechnology and biomedical research.

In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan said that the conference was directly relevant to the quality of life and the state of healthcare in the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Nahyan has previously stated that investing in "innovative research, best practices, and collaboration are critical" for the UAE to achieve a priority goal of its citizens' health.

Sheikh Nahyan has been a strong supporter of the conference's aims and of its participants' efforts in the fields of drug discovery and therapy, previously saying the conference organizers and participants were to be congratulated for their "skill, your dedication, and commitment to the cause of human welfare".

"We clearly need new ideas and new discoveries that are supported by a determination to help our global citizens achieve more healthy lives," he has opined.

The Minister has also gone on the record as stressing the importance of the annual international gathering of some of the world's leading medical, pharmacological and research minds.

"The nature of your work and your presence at this conference are cause for great optimism. The collective interest in achieving drug discoveries and breakthroughs that will improve the health and lives of countless millions is encouraging," Sheikh Nahyan said.

"There is widespread anticipation of the products of your research and investigations. Both the medical-scientific community and the public worldwide are anxious to recognize and embrace your success," he added.

Building on from the success of the previous conferences held in Dubai, the 2012 edition was a much larger event with over 500 talks delivered and 45 thematic sessions with poster presentations and an associated commercial exhibition.

ICDDT Co-Presidents Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman and Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferid Murad also spoke at the conference's official opening, saying the range of session topics over the four-day conference, as well as the inaugural two-day Biotechnology World Congress, would offer many thought-provoking discussion points and stimulating opportunities for more than 750 conference delegates.

In addition to Sheikh Nahayan the conference's guests of honor were the six Nobel Laureates, Prof. Ferid Murad (USA), Prof. Hartmut Michel (Germany), Prof. Harald zur Hausen (Germany), Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn (France), Prof. Robert Huber (Germany) and Prof. Mario Molina (USA) who were able to present their revolutionary investigations delving deep into drug discovery and therapy findings to an enthralled audience of eminent scientists, researchers, pharmacists, academicians and biotechnologists.

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Mubarak defence portrays ousted president as a 'clean' leader

Agencies

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CAIRO // Hosni Mubarak's chief defence lawyer portrayed the ousted Egyptian president as a "clean" leader who placed the law above all else and worked tirelessly for his nation.

Farid El Deeb's opening statements to the court also sought to paint a picture of the 83-year-old Mubarak as a victim of malicious accusations while his health was failing. He was looking to the court for justice, Mr El Deeb said.

Mubarak is charged with complicity in the killing of hundreds of protesters during an 18-day uprising that toppled his 29-year authoritarian regime last February. He faces the death penalty if convicted.

Mr El Deed said there is no evidence Mubarak ordered security forces to fire on protesters. He cited what he said was testimony by Egypt's military ruler, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, and the former spy chief, Omar Suleiman, in defence of Mubarak, who appeared in court on a stretcher.

"There is no evidence to prove that Mubarak gave orders to open fire on the protesters," said Mr El Deeb.

Lawyers for families of those killed and wounded have argued even if Mubarak did not issue orders to shoot, he failed to give orders to stop the killing.

The prosecution later delivered a harsh assessment of Mubarak's rule, saying he was responsible for the killings and that he devoted the last 10 years in power to ensure his son, banker-turned-politician Gamal, would succeed him.

Mubarak and his two sons - Alaa and Gamal - also face corruption charges. All three were in court.

* Associated Press with additional reporting by Agence France-Presse

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Farid El Deeb's opening statements to the court also sought to paint a picture of the 83-year-old Mubarak as a victim of malicious accusations while his health was failing.

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