Elpen Establishes First MEA Subsidiary In The UAE To Expand Access To High-Quality Medicines

ELPEN is strengthening its international footprint with the launch of its first Middle East and Africa subsidiary in the United Arab Emirates. The new entity becomes a central hub for regional strategy and reflects a long-term plan to support healthcare systems across MEA through closer local presence and direct engagement.

The MEA subsidiary in the UAE is designed to act as ELPEN’s regional strategic centre. From its new offices, the company plans to engage more closely with health authorities, clinicians, scientific communities, medical societies, and institutional partners, aiming to align with regional healthcare priorities and regulatory frameworks.

To guide this expansion, ELPEN has appointed Mohammad Allakany as General Manager for Middle East and Africa. Allakany brings extensive healthcare sector experience and a strong leadership record. The role includes responsibility for executing ELPEN’s regional growth strategy, coordinating operations, and steering the company’s wider MEA expansion agenda from the UAE base.

Lefteris Tryfon, Chief Operating Officer, ELPEN Group, highlights the long-term planning behind this move. "Entering the UAE is not simply an expansion for ELPEN; it is a strategic step we have been building toward for years. We are committing to a region that recognises quality, values science and seeks trusted partnerships. With a presence in more than 90 countries, we choose our direct investments selectively, establishing a footprint only where we can deliver lasting, meaningful value. As our international business accelerates and is set to double by 2028, the UAE becomes a strong enabler of our regional presence, empowering us to expand access to high-quality treatments and advance better health outcomes across the Middle East & Africa."

Theodore Tryfon, Co-Chief Executive Officer, ELPEN Group, links the UAE entry to the company’s origins and scientific base. "ELPEN enters the UAE carrying a legacy of nearly six decades of Greek scientific innovation and reliable pharmaceutical manufacturing. By connecting this heritage with a nation investing decisively in world-class healthcare, we aim to build long-term collaborations that support patient access, research excellence and sustainable industry growth. As one of Greece’s most advanced pharmaceutical groups, we remain committed to high-quality production and strong R&D, ensuring that Greek medicines can serve as credible, innovation-driven partners to the UAE’s healthcare vision."

Demand for safe, trusted, and high-quality medicines is rising across the Middle East and Africa, driven by growing populations and evolving treatment needs. ELPEN expects the UAE subsidiary to improve its agility and cultural awareness, while placing the organisation closer to local healthcare systems and decision-makers, including both public institutions and private sector providers.

The company views the UAE as a platform to support broader MEA ambitions. From the regional centre, ELPEN aims to deepen cooperation with medical societies and scientific networks, back research initiatives, and enhance access to its pharmaceutical products, while aligning operations with national health strategies across multiple markets.

By anchoring its MEA operations in the UAE, ELPEN connects decades of Greek pharmaceutical expertise with a regional healthcare market seeking reliable partners. The new structure is intended to support sustained collaboration, expand access to high-quality treatments, and contribute to better health outcomes across the wider Middle East and Africa.

With inputs from WAM