The UAE has marked a significant milestone in its healthcare and life sciences journey with the opening of a new high-potency pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi by Mubadala Bio. The development strengthens the country’s ability to produce complex, clinically critical medicines locally and reduces long-standing reliance on imports for advanced therapies.
The facility, operated by Bioventure Healthcare, a subsidiary of Mubadala Bio, is purpose-built to manufacture high-potency drugs, including advanced oncology and hormone treatments. Such medicines require specialised infrastructure, strict containment systems, and compliance with global safety and regulatory standards capabilities traditionally limited to a small number of global manufacturing hubs.
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Strengthening Healthcare Security Through Local Manufacturing
With the commissioning of this facility, the UAE moves closer to securing a stable domestic supply of medicines that are vital for treating serious and life-threatening conditions. High-potency drugs, particularly cancer therapies, are often vulnerable to global supply disruptions due to their complex production processes and limited manufacturing locations worldwide.
Local production enhances supply reliability, supports faster access for patients, and contributes to cost efficiency across the healthcare system. It also aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy of building resilience in critical sectors, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Launch of Locally Produced Oncology Medicines
Coinciding with the opening of the facility, Mubadala Bio has introduced three essential oncology medicines to the UAE market. These include Lenalidomide, used in the treatment of multiple myeloma; Pomalidomide, now being locally produced in the UAE for the first time; and Sunitinib, a targeted therapy for certain advanced and progressive cancers.
These launches represent a notable expansion of the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing scope, particularly in the field of cancer care, where demand for advanced therapies continues to rise.
Building Momentum in Pharmaceutical Localisation
The new factory builds on Mubadala Bio’s earlier initiatives to localise pharmaceutical production. In recent months, the company launched eight essential medicines through UAE-based manufacturing units, covering therapeutic areas such as anticoagulation, infectious diseases, post-surgical recovery, cancer care, and pain management.
Together, these developments reflect a structured localisation drive aimed at producing high-demand and clinically critical medicines within the country, while meeting international quality benchmarks.
Advancing the UAE’s Life Sciences Ambitions
Industry leaders have highlighted that the expansion of local oncology manufacturing marks a strategic step in strengthening the UAE’s life sciences ecosystem. By investing in high-value, complex drug manufacturing, the country is positioning itself as a regional hub for advanced pharmaceutical production and innovation.
Beyond healthcare outcomes, the move supports economic diversification, knowledge transfer, and the development of specialised manufacturing capabilities that can serve both domestic and regional markets.
A Strategic Leap Forward
The launch of the high-potency drug facility underscores the UAE’s long-term vision to move beyond basic pharmaceutical manufacturing and into advanced, high-complexity therapies. As demand for specialised medicines continues to grow, the ability to produce them locally places the UAE in a stronger position to address future healthcare needs while reinforcing its standing as a competitive, innovation-driven economy.
