Companies Beginning to Set Up Base in Middle East's Biggest Complex for Research and Development

Dubai: 26 December, 2009 - Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced the state-of-the-art four-storey Nucleotide Laboratory Complex, the biggest in the Middle East, is now operational and ready for companies to move in.

All four wings of the ground floor level are already fully booked, and new companies are now finalising the fit-outs and installation of instruments in their labs. These include MAQUET Middle East, a market innovator for operating room systems and intensive care units, and Mubadala Healthcare's first phase of the National Reference Lab (NRL), an initiative created in partnership with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp), one of the world's largest and most experienced clinical laboratory companies.

Comprising 256,000 sq. ft. of leasable area, the ultra-modern Nucleotide Lab Complex is designed to house biotech, life sciences and pharmaceutical activities ranging from research and development, diagnostic, analytical and equipment training activities.

Dr. Marco Baccanti, Executive Director, DuBiotech, said: "The Nucleotide Lab Complex is the biggest laboratory facility in the Middle East. It represents a major milestone in the development of DuBiotech. The complex will host some of the world's most talented researchers and business development managers from academic and industrial fields, working in close collaboration under the DuBiotech licence.

"The complex is the ideal place to encourage life sciences initiatives where new ideas are conceptualised and developed into viable businesses, contributing to Dubai's drive for creating a knowledge economy in the region."

The Nucleotide Lab Complex allows DuBiotech partners to carry out laboratory-based research and development, testing and training activities in an extremely well designed environment, conceptualise ideas that stimulate creativity and facilitate peer to peer communications between researchers and industry managers.

Comprising 'A, C, T and G' wings, the facility has been named after the four basic building blocks of nucleic acids, the main components of genetic material.

Designed by CUH2A, an architecture, engineering and planning firm specialising in the design of technologically complex facilities such as R&D infrastructure for science and technology parks, the Nucleotide Complex's core and shell lab space can accommodate up to 160 laboratory units that are designed to meet Class III of Bio-safety Standards/ Guidelines.

The DuBiotech life sciences cluster grew in 2009 from 46 to 65 business partners, with 19 new companies registering to expand their presence in the Middle East's fast-growing biotechnology market.

DuBiotech offers a complete range of benefits to help life sciences companies develop in the Middle East. It also aims to provide the necessary infrastructure for all entities involved in the life sciences research and industrial activities, including the agricultural, environmental, and marine biotechnology sectors.

Major international players with different specialisations can be easily accessed by the DuBiotech management to provide the balanced stakeholder mix required for the successful development of new biotech/life sciences initiatives.

Launched in 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, has the mission to create the biggest life sciences cluster in the Middle East, adopting a sustainable strategy. Its business model is based on providing the best environment for major players in the life sciences industry and research through leveraging the benefits of its location in Dubai, offering free zone benefits and creating world class infrastructure.

-Ends-

About DuBiotech
Established in February 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a leading life sciences cluster in the Middle East, and a member of TECOM Investments. The free zone currently hosts 65 major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono and Amgen, as well as companies specialized in biomedical and scientific devices, biotechnology, cosmesis, and enzymes.

DuBiotech offers flexible laboratory space as one of the key components of the sprawling business park. In addition to hosting a range of assets varying from offices to warehouses and land for manufacturing, the 22 million sq. ft. biotechnology cluster enjoys a strategic location with world-class infrastructure.

A number of free zone-associated incentives such as full ownership, tax-free profit repatriation and business friendly environment that DuBiotech offers makes the cluster an ideal destination for life sciences companies seeking to address the fast growing regional markets.

For further information, please contact:
Zeba Ahmad
JiWin
Tel: +9714 361 3590 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
Email: Zeba.Ahmad@jiwin.ae   

Hammam Alyazji
JiWin
Mob: +971 50 923 2100
Direct: +9714 3755877
Email: Hammam.Alyazji@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2009