Sanofi Research Prize in Diabetes: four projects rewarded in Rabat

Sanofi Morocco and the Moroccan Society of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Nutrition (Smedian) celebrated, on 16 November 2024 in Rabat, the award ceremony for the sixth edition of the Sanofi Diabetes Research Prize. Organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection as well as the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation and as part of World Diabetes Day, this scientific event aims to contribute to the development of biomedical research in general and in diabetes in particular, in Morocco.



This year, 52 research papers were submitted to the jury composed of recognised experts. The University Hospital Centres (CHU), Military Hospitals, and Universities of Agadir, Benguérir, Casablanca, Marrakech, Meknès, Oujda, Rabat, and Tanger submitted high-quality work. The themes concern: "Diabetes in the school environment", "Diabetes and Ramadan", "Impacts on respiratory and cardiovascular functions", "Mental health of the diabetic patient", "Digitalisation of therapeutic education and glycaemic control", "Pregnancy"... Winners committed to future research In the "Adult and Child Diabetes" category, the first prize was awarded to the Department of Endocrinology of the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences in Casablanca, followed by the Endocrinology Department of the Moulay Ismail Military Hospital in Meknès.

For the "Digitalisation of diabetes management" category, the Endocrinology Department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda won the first Prize, while the second went to the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguérir.

During the ceremony, Fatima-Zahra Mouzouni, representative of the Ministry of Health, highlighted the efforts made to improve the management of diabetics in Morocco, which currently concern more than 1.5 million patients in primary care structures. She also highlighted the multisectoral approach adopted to reduce the risk factors associated with diabetes.

Najla Cherif Hamdi, CEO of Sanofi Morocco, recalled that more than 190 research papers have been submitted since the creation of the Prize in 2018. She reaffirmed Sanofi's commitment to encouraging innovation and supporting concrete solutions to improve the lives of diabetic patients.

According to Chakib Nejjari, member of the jury and vice-president of the Euro-Mediterranean University of Fès, the selection of the winners was based on originality, clinical relevance, and the potential impact of the work on patients. Among the themes addressed this year were diabetes in the school environment, the impact of Ramadan, the mental health of diabetics, and the digitalisation of care.

The ceremony programme included two discussion panels on the challenges related to diabetes, particularly in the school environment, and technological advances for patient management. The event also looked at educational initiatives such as the "Kids and Diabetes in Schools" programme, aimed at raising awareness among students and teachers about diabetes. A partnership for the future In collaboration with institutions such as the Moroccan Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Mohammed V University, and other research centres, Sanofi Morocco is part of a dynamic of support for scientific research. These initiatives aim to respond to local challenges while participating in the global effort to fight diabetes. With quality research work and a strong commitment from institutional and academic actors, this 6th edition of the Sanofi Diabetes Research Awards illustrates the importance of research in dealing with a disease that deeply impacts public health.

​​​​ 2024 Edition Winners Category "Adult and Child Diabetes"

• 1st Prize: Department of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases, and Nutrition. Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences of Casablanca for the research work entitled: "Cognitive disorders in type 2 diabetic patients".

• 2nd Prize: Endocrinology-Diabetology Department, Moulay Ismail Military Hospital, Meknès for the research work entitled: "Insulin Degludec and insulin Glargine U-300 four times a week versus insulin Glargine U-100 once a day in patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective study".

Category "Digitalisation of diabetes management"

• 1st Prize: Endocrinology-Diabetology and Nutrition Department CHU Mohammed-VI Oujda, for the research work entitled: "DiabGest".

• 2nd Prize: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguérir for the research work entitled: "Assessing the Precision of AI-Powered Chatbots in Nutritional Management of Diabetes: A comparative study".