DuBiotech: Dubai Moves Strongly Into Global Biotechnology Market

Dubai is moving ahead full force on all fronts! Not only is Dubai becoming a leading financial, business and tourist destination-- this forward thinking Emirate is getting involved in the huge biotech/pharmaceutical industry as well! DuBiotech, which stands for Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, is being developed by Dubai Holding and is the Middle East's first science and business park devoted to life science research, education and industry. Dr. Abdulqader Alkhayat, Executive Director of DuBiotech, had this to say at the ArabLab Expo:

"We aim to be at the forefront of the life sciences industry by encouraging research and development. Our recent MoU to launch the Gulf Anti-Doping and Monitoring Enterprise (GAME), the AED289-million Nucleotide Complex laboratory and the BioTiqania Training Institute will enable Dubai to evolve as the pioneering destination for biotechnology professionals. Our support for ArabLab show for the third consecutive year stems from our commitment to nurturing the growing life sciences industry in the region."

DuBiotech is a truly massive life science Mega Project and the following life science sectors and activities will all be actively represented at DuBiotech:

Life Science Industry Sectors:

> Biotechnology:
- Medical
- Industrial
- Agricultural
- Environmental
- Equine
- Animal / Marine
> Pharmaceuticals
> Neutraceuticals
> Nanotechnology
> Medical Devices
> Bioinformatics
> Forensic Science

Life Science Industry Activities:

> Diagnostics
> R&D including Drug Discovery
> Manufacturing / Storage
> Sales & Marketing
> Distribution
> Consulting / Service Providers
> Training
> CROs & Clinical Trials
> Financial Institutions

The facilities offered at DuBiotech will be vast and include:

- Office Space. A wide variety of office facilities to accommodate every possible need,

- Laboratory Space. Here companies can conduct research and development in a cost effective manner by leasing lab space and having access to shared equipment and other services,

- Pre-Built Units. These pre-built facilities are specifically designed for storage, distribution and light manufacturing for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Other pre-built facilities will include analytical, animal and cell and tissue culture units,

- Land Lease Plots. For companies wishing to build their own facilities, rather than use those that have been pre-built,

- DuBiotech is so huge that it will be an entire city unto itself and also offer: hotels, schools, hospitals, residences, retail and leisure areas.

DuBiotech is being developed in phases and by September 2008 the Nucleotide Complex will be operational. This 4-storey structure, part of the pre-built unit facilities, will offer laboratory space for life science research. The Nucleotide Complex will allow biotech and other life science companies wanting to open up in the Emirates to do so without having to build their own facilities. They simply rent space at DuBiotech and go from there. Another big benefit of operating in DuBiotech is that it is a Free Zone and thus 100% tax exempt! DuBiotech is, in fact, the world's first Free Zone devoted to life science.

Here are some of the companies that have already signed on with DuBiotech: Amgen, Asia Cryo-Cell Private Limited, Al Zahrawi Medical Services, Getz Pharma International, Pfizer International, Welcome Healthcare, MerckSerono Middle East, Genzyme Middle East, Respironics International...and many, many more.

DuBiotech represents a big step for Dubai and all of the UAE in the huge life science industry. If what Dubai has already accomplished is any indicator, DuBiotech and the future of science in the UAE looks very good indeed!

Here is the link that takes you to the DuBiotech website:

http://www.dubiotech.com/