{
  "id": 16795780,
  "title": "Abu Dhabi aims to become global hub for medicine production",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/abu-dhabi-aims-to-become-global-hub-for-medicine-production",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-27T20:04:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/abu-dhabi-aims-to-become-global-hub-for-medicine-production-1.500726181"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Abu Dhabi is striving to establish itself as a leading global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, aiming to boost domestic medicine production, entice international firms, and boost exports over the next ten years. Dr Fokion Sinis, CEO of ADCAN Pharma, told Gulf News that producing medicines locally would bolster the UAE's healthcare system and lessen reliance on foreign supply chains. He highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerability of nations that heavily depend on imported medicines during global disruptions. Sinis emphasized that local manufacturing of cancer medicines is crucial, as delays in supplying these treatments can directly impact patients. ADCAN Pharma, which operates the UAE's sole oncology and hormone medicine manufacturing facility, has partnered with international pharmaceutical entities like ELPEN, Lotus, and Glenmark. The company aims to become a local manufacturing partner for M42, initially producing cancer medicines for export in collaboration with Glenmark. Sinis noted that self-sufficiency won't be achieved by building everything independently; rather, it relies on bringing global products onto the local market. He also spoke about the role of artificial intelligence and automation in enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing by monitoring equipment, anticipating production issues early, and enhancing quality control. Sinis pointed out the potential of the Emirati Genome Programme, which could aid in developing personalized treatments by merging genetic data with AI. ADCAN has recently teamed up with MS Pharma to facilitate the local production of biosimilars, medicines designed to replicate the effects of existing biological medicines, with the goal of lowering healthcare expenses and enhancing access to treatments for cancer and chronic conditions. Sinis mentioned that collaborations with international institutions, such as Khalifa University and Al Ain University, could aid in training Emirati scientists and engineers. Looking ahead, Sinis anticipates Abu Dhabi's pharmaceutical sector to broaden its scope beyond serving the local market and become a significant exporter of medicines. The company is working towards achieving European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU-GMP) certification by 2027, which would support its plans to enter additional international markets. Sinis highlighted that obtaining EU-GMP certification and expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing could generate specialized jobs for Emiratis and improve medicine availability. He expressed that a robust pharmaceutical industry would introduce high-value, non-oil exports and strengthen the healthcare system's resilience.",
  "summary": "Abu Dhabi is working towards becoming a major centre for pharmaceutical manufacturing, with plans to increase local medicine production, attract international companies and expand exports over the next decade. Speaking to Gulf News, Dr Fokion Sinis, CEO of ADCAN Pharma, said producing more medicines locally would help the UAE strengthen its healthcare system and reduce its dependence on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}