UAE to expand local production of medicines for cancer and chronic diseases

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is planning to enhance its production of medicines for cancer, chronic diseases, and other medical conditions through a new partnership between ADCAN Pharma and MS Pharma. Announced at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, the collaboration aims to bolster pharmaceutical manufacturing in the country and improve patients' access to essential treatments.

The agreement between the two companies focuses on manufacturing, packaging, and testing various medicines, including injectable treatments, tablets, and biosimilars, in the UAE. Biosimilars are highly similar versions of existing biological treatments, commonly used to manage complex conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The partnership will concentrate on expanding local production of medicines in several medical fields, such as cancer treatment, immunology, eye diseases, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular care, metabolic disorders, neurological conditions, infections, and other health problems. By producing more medicines locally, ADCAN Pharma and MS Pharma intend to boost the availability of treatments, make them more affordable, and lessen reliance on international supply chains.

As part of the partnership, ADCAN Pharma intends to set up laboratory capabilities in the UAE to conduct quality testing for monoclonal antibodies, which are utilized in several advanced medical treatments. The laboratory will be fully equipped to perform the necessary quality tests to ensure locally manufactured medicines meet the required standards.

Dr Fokion Sinis, CEO of ADCAN Pharma, expressed that the partnership will bolster the UAE's capacity to manufacture and test advanced medicines. Sinis highlighted that by combining local manufacturing facilities with MS Pharma's expertise in biopharmaceutical products, the UAE's pharmaceutical industry will experience growth. Ghandi Yacoub, Vice President of Commercial at MS Pharma, stated that the collaboration will enhance the accessibility of advanced treatments for patients across the region.

Yacoub emphasized that the partnership will merge MS Pharma's experience in developing biosimilar medicines with ADCAN Pharma's manufacturing capabilities in the UAE. The companies plan to progressively increase their local production and testing capacities through cooperation and knowledge sharing. The agreement also aligns with the UAE's broader objectives to strengthen its healthcare sector, increase local medicine production, and ensure a more dependable supply of essential treatments.

By expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing within the country, the partnership seeks to improve access to medicines for patients in the UAE and across the region.