DoH, ADIO, Etihad Airways, AD Ports Group Partner To Transform Abu Dhabi Into Global Pharmaceutical Distribution Hub

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Etihad Airways, and AD Ports Group have formed a partnership to strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global pharmaceutical and life sciences distribution hub. This collaboration aims to leverage Abu Dhabi's strategic location, investment opportunities, and advanced logistics capabilities.The partnership was signed during the BIO International Convention 2024 in San Diego, USA. The signing ceremony was attended by Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Chairman of DoH, Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at DoH, Khalifa Al Mahmoud, Acting Director of Investor Attraction at ADIO, Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Etihad Cargo, and Mansoor Al Marar, Vice President of Industrial Business Development at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group), a subsidiary of AD Ports Group.This strategic partnership aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and is a significant step towards establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading healthcare destination globally. The collaboration aims to attract pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology companies to set up their operations in Abu Dhabi by capitalizing on DoH's regulatory framework, ADIO's investment platform, Etihad Cargo's expertise in air freight, and AD Port Group's logistics infrastructure.Dr. Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei highlighted the importance of Abu Dhabi's strategic location as a gateway to the MENA region. She expressed her pleasure in partnering with world-class leaders in investment and logistics to create an environment where patients have access to the latest treatments and medical technologies. The establishment of a robust healthcare and life-science distribution hub will solidify Abu Dhabi's position in the global pharmaceutical industry while driving economic growth and job creation for Emirati citizens.As part of the agreement, the entities will work together to ensure timely access to innovative healthcare products for patients in the region. This collaboration is expected to attract significant investment in healthcare and logistics, promoting sustainable economic growth and diversification within the healthcare and life sciences sectors. The partnership also includes plans to support local manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.BaDr. Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, emphasized Abu Dhabi's commitment to supporting the healthcare and life sciences industry. He stated that this partnership will drive further collaboration and unlock new opportunities for the sector's leading innovators and companies.Stanislas Brun, Vice President of Etihad Cargo, expressed their commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi's vision of becoming a global hub for healthcare and life sciences distribution. He mentioned that this partnership is a major step towards enhancing the UAE's strategic importance in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.Mansoor Al Marar, Vice President of Industrial Business Development at KEZAD Group, expressed his excitement about being part of this landmark agreement. He believes that this collaboration will enhance Abu Dhabi's regional and global competitiveness and ensure timely access to innovative healthcare products.Led by DoH, a high-profile Abu Dhabi delegation visited the US from 29th May to 5th June 2024 to showcase partnership opportunities and explore collaborations in research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and innovation. The delegation met with existing and new partners in Philadelphia to foster collaboration with leading education research institutions, governmental bodies, and health-tech giants. The mission culminated in San Diego, coinciding with Abu Dhabi's participation at BIO International Convention 2024. This participation facilitated in-depth discussions, shared insights, expertise, and explored collaborations in health-tech, life science, and innovation.This partnership between DoH, ADIO, Etihad Airways, and AD Ports Group is a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi's journey towards becoming a premier global hub for pharmaceutical and life sciences distribution. It will enhance Abu Dhabi's competitiveness in the healthcare industry while ensuring timely access to innovative healthcare products.

With inputs from WAM