Five key opportunities have been successfully identified to develop the pharmaceutical and medical equipment sector as one of the targeted industrial subsectors of Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030

  • Dubai Science Park collaborates with The Executive Council of Dubai, Jafza, Dubai South and Dubai Healthcare City Authority to identify, develop and promote opportunities in the pharma and medical equipment sector

  • Nutraceuticals, blood plasma, 3D printing, super generics and next generation sequencing highlighted as representing unprecedented opportunities for Dubai’s healthcare sector

  • Dubai’s industrial sector has seen “significant progress” this year following the implementation of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 with a forecast sector growth of additional Dh 18 billion by 2030

Following The Executive Council of Dubai’s announcement last Sunday of entering the implementation phase of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, Dubai Science Park (DSP), the region’s first business community dedicated to the science sector, has successfully progressed in identifying, developing and promoting opportunities in Dubai’s pharmaceutical and medical equipment sector. The progress has been achieved in collaboration with The Executive Council of Dubai, Jafza, Dubai South and Dubai Healthcare City Authority.

The pharmaceutical and medical equipment sector is expected to play a key role in the development of the industrial sector. The Government of Dubai forecasts the entire sector to grow by an additional Dh18 billion, increasing Dubai’s gross domestic product (GDP) by an extra Dh 165 billion, whilst creating 27,000 jobs by as early as 2030.

The ambitious target was set in March of this year at the ‘Dubai Plan 2021 Creative Labs’, an interactive event which was organised by The Executive Council of Dubai. The event worked toward the goals of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, which is designed to attract manufacturers to six key sectors, one of which is pharmaceutical and medical equipment.

Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Assistant Secretary General, Strategy Management and Governance Sector at the Executive Council of Dubai, said: “This sector takes priority in the Dubai Industrial Strategy since it helps accelerate innovation and economic growth in Dubai. We are currently witnessing great development in all main sectors, such as the healthcare sector, thanks to the research and innovations taking place in laboratories and consequently implemented for the benefit of patients. We hope that our efforts will see continuous success so that Dubai can always be a global leader in various fields.”

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Executive Director at DSP and Chairing Member of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment taskforce, entrusted with the delivery, said: “With a shared ambition to turn Dubai into a global healthcare hub, we have worked closely with The Executive Council of Dubai and our taskforce members to support the delivery of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030. We are closely aligned with the Council in moving towards our overriding goal of positioning the UAE at the forefront of industrial manufacturing.

“To this end, we have successfully identified five key opportunities that are expected to have a significant impact on the healthcare sector in Dubai. Enabled by a favourable regulatory and IP environment, infrastructural developments, improved R&D capacities, and access to government financing, we expect the opportunities to bring the added benefits of job creation, educational opportunities and enhanced patient services, whilst helping to cement Dubai as a popular destination in terms of medical tourism for patients seeking specialised treatment from across the MENA region and further afield.”

The five key opportunities identified by the taskforce include: nutraceuticals, blood plasma, 3D printing, super generics and next generation sequencing.

·         Nutraceuticals: There is an increasing desire for foods and ingredients that are naturally functional, and nutraceuticals have a ready market in the Middle East and Africa with sales estimated to reach $15.1 billion by 2025, whilst products with a diabetes and metabolic disease focus are currently estimated to be $1 billion with an 8% CAGR.

·         Blood Plasma: 75% of blood plasma products are manufactured in the US and Europe. With no production facilities in the region, the Middle East and Africa rely entirely on imports and run the risk of shortages in supply. Dubai is well positioned to fill local demands and to become the regional export hub with a market expected to grow by 10% year-on-year.

·         3D Printing: According to findings by Dubai Science Park, this sector represents a great opportunity for Dubai with segments covering 3D printed teeth, bones, artificial organs, medical and surgical devices, and hearing aids. This sector is projected to reach $453 million by 2025 with opportunities in attracting printing start-ups and established manufacturers.

·         Super Generics: Contrary to generic drugs, which are clones of brand-name products, super generics differ in formulation or method of delivery. Polly Pills are an attractive opportunity to be developed in Dubai, helping positioning Dubai as an innovation hub with added value products with a current estimated growth prospect of $900 million in the region.

·         Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): A pillar of personalised medicine that allows the design of treatments based on individual needs, NGS allows quick, extensive and cost-effective DNA analysis. NGS is a fast-growing market and is estimated to reach $22 billion globally and $400 million in the Middle East region by 2025.

In the near future, the Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment taskforce will appoint specialised working groups, each tasked with the implementation of enabling features aimed at nurturing the developments of each of the highlighted opportunities. The goals and tied to a timeline spanning a one to ten-year period.

-Ends-

About Dubai Science Park:
Dubai Science Park (DSP) is the region’s first holistic science-focused community, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, SMEs and multinational enterprises. Since its inception, the community has grown to more than 350 companies of all sizes in the life sciences, energy and environmental sectors.

About The Executive Council of Dubai:
The Executive Council of Dubai ensures the constant development of public administration and strategic sectors. It helps achieving this through seamless integration with the Center of Government and Key Partners, and the provision of supportive systems and knowledge capital.

For more information please contact:
Christoph Diesch
APCO Worldwide 
+971 (0) 55 134 0892
cdiesch@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2017