Dubai,
UAE:
DuBiotech, part of TECOM Investments’ Science Cluster, today
welcomed global biopharmaceutical company Alexion,
as a new business partner. Alexion is best known for developing
life-transforming therapies for patients with severe and
life-threatening rare diseases.
Announcing
Alexion as a new business partner at DuBiotech represents a concerted
effort to attract the world’s leading organisations to the UAE. In
doing so, the Free Zone is able to facilitate
synergies that favour innovation which supports the Government’s
vision to develop a knowledge-based economy and to grow the number of
skilled workers in the area of biotechnology and pharmacology.
The
UAE imports around 80% of the medicine we use, with domestic
production representing just 15% of the drugs sold locally. Therefore
by attracting companies such as Alexion to operate at DuBiotech, the
freezone is able to facilitate a rebalance for the benefit of UAE
residents as locally produced medication can be tailored to the needs
of the population and it is often more cost effective.
Samer
Saadeh, General Manager of Alexion Middle East said:
“We are looking forward to establishing a presence in the Middle
East. We see an opportunity to help bring our life-transforming
therapies to patients suffering from rare and life-threatening
diseases and help improve the standard of healthcare in the region.
We chose to base ourselves at DuBiotech because it provided us with
the operational flexibility required to setup our offices according
to our business needs. We thank them for their help and assistance in
entering this region.”
DuBiotech
is home to some of the region’s premier life science and
biotechnology companies. It supports both start-ups and international
firms looking for a regional base in the Middle East. With over 150
companies licensed by DuBiotech, it is central to a community that is
committed to the industry’s success by bringing together business,
regulators and Government in partnership. Alexion’s new facility
will be licensed by DuBiotech, the premier destination for innovation
and technology in the Middle East.
Marwan
Abdulaziz, Executive Director of TECOM Investments’ DuBiotech
said: “We are proud to welcome a major player like Alexion to our
growing list of world-leading companies. DuBiotech is home to some of
the region’s premier life science and biotechnology companies due
to the freedom to design facilities around each organisation’s
specific needs, the support we provide in navigating the legal
landscape and unrivalled access to the significant market of the MENA
region.
“Innovation,
with R&D as its core, is the key determinant of growth in many
industries. Specifically in the pharmaceutical sector, integration of
latest technologies and investment in R&D translates into
improving diagnosis, treatment and therefore improve recovery.
Raising the level of R&D undertaken in the UAE will assist us in
addressing the country’s over-dependence on drug imports. Alexion’s
new centre ensures that DuBiotech is better placed than ever before
to facilitate a high level of innovation to cater for the needs of
our sizable population.”
