Dubai is attempting to create a knowledge economy by using significant amounts of money and incentives to attract pharma, biotech and associated service companies to the emirate.
This has resulted in some big pharma and contract research organisations (CRO), including Pfizer and Ergomed, establishing operations in Dubai and the Nucleotide Research Complex is intended to continue this trend.
The four storey complex includes 256,000 sq ft of leasable area and 160 level III biosafety laboratory units. Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the organisation behind the project, believes this is an attractive proposition for biotech, life science and pharma companies.
Marco Baccanti, executive director of DuBiotech, explained that “the Nucleotide Lab Complex is the biggest laboratory facility in the Middle East”, adding that it will house “some of the world’s most talented researchers and business development managers”.
DuBiotech claims that the ground floor of the complex is already fully booked, with tenants currently installing instruments and finalising fit-outs, and is now seeking residents for the remaining space.
Continuing growth
DuBiotech was established in 2005 with the goal of creating the biggest life sciences cluster in the Middle East. To achieve this goal the emirate has attempted to put in place the infrastructure and incentives needed to attract pharma and biotech companies.
Despite the difficulties facing the pharma sector, and the wider economy, the DuBiotech life sciences cluster grew in 2009 from 46 to 65 business partners.