EDE and Viatris chart a course to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing across the UAE

A strategic alliance between the Emirates Drug Establishment and global healthcare company Viatris marks a significant step in transforming the UAE into a regional hub for advanced pharmaceutical production and life sciences innovation.

The Emirates Drug Establishment has entered into a strategic partnership with Viatris, a global healthcare company, to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing and position the UAE as a centre of excellence for the sector. The memorandum of understanding, signed by Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director-General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, and Dr. Tamer Elsallab, Head of GCC and Levant Cluster at Viatris, represents a deliberate commitment to strengthening investment opportunities and localising production capabilities across the nation.

The partnership addresses several key dimensions of pharmaceutical development. Both organisations will collaborate on building local manufacturing capabilities, reinforcing supply chain resilience, and nurturing Emirati talent through structured training programmes. Knowledge exchange and professional development will form the backbone of the relationship, alongside joint efforts to support pharmaceutical and healthcare innovation across the region.

Dr. Al Kaabi emphasised the UAE’s distinctive advantages as a hub for pharmaceutical investment. The nation has constructed an integrated ecosystem combining advanced regulatory frameworks, sophisticated logistics infrastructure, robust research and development capabilities, and strategic geographic positioning. These elements enable international companies to establish enduring operations in the UAE, extend into neighbouring markets and leverage the country’s competitive strengths to expand their businesses.

“Our partnership with Viatris exemplifies the Emirates Drug Establishment’s vision of building international cooperation into long-term industrial and knowledge-based projects,” Dr. Al Kaabi stated. “We are committed to expanding this model to attract high-value investments and develop joint ventures with national manufacturers, thereby deepening the UAE’s integration into global pharmaceutical value chains.”

Complementing this overarching agreement, Viatris and ADCAN Pharma signed a separate cooperation accord aimed at localising the manufacturing of selected products from Viatris’ portfolio within the UAE. Signed by Dr. Tamer Elsallab for Viatris and Dr. Fokion Sinis, Chief Executive Officer of ADCAN Pharma, this arrangement strengthens the convergence of international expertise with national capabilities whilst facilitating knowledge and technology transfer and expanding domestic production capacity.

The partnership builds upon a broader momentum of pharmaceutical collaboration across the emirate. As we reported earlier, ADCAN Pharma has been advancing biosimilar and biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities through strategic alliances, whilst Mubadala Bio and Eli Lilly have established advanced packaging and logistics operations in Abu Dhabi.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These partnerships strengthen Abu Dhabi’s evolution as a globally significant pharmaceutical manufacturing centre. By integrating international expertise with local capabilities, the emirate enhances its pharmaceutical security, ensures consistent availability of medical products, and amplifies the sector’s contribution to healthcare provision and economic growth. The emphasis on training and knowledge transfer ensures that Emirati talent gains exposure to advanced manufacturing techniques and international best practices.

The strategy reflects a deliberate approach to building resilient, knowledge-intensive industries that serve regional markets whilst competing on the international stage. Through partnerships that combine regulatory excellence with manufacturing innovation, Abu Dhabi positions itself as a destination for pharmaceutical companies seeking to establish sustainable operations in the Middle East and North Africa.

Source: WAM

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