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DuBiotech Expects 20 Firms 
to Launch Operations in 2010

DUBAI — Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), Middle East’s first business park dedicated to life science industry, expects manufacturing activity in the park soon in addition to current research work, a top executive of the free zone said.

DuBiotech, which currently hosts 65 major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono and Amgen, expects 20 more companies to launch their operation this year.

“We do have three serious requests from USA & the ME and the agreements with these companies will be finalised in Q1 & Q2 2010,” Dr. Marco Baccanti, Executive Director, DuBiotech, told Khaleej Times during an interview.

Dr. Baccanti said DuBiotech will provide special manufacturing facilities to pharmaceutical companies such as quality control and the biggest laboratory facility in the Middle East. “We are growing and 25 warehouses dedicated to life science industries are at final stage,” he added.

“Knowing the fact that the warehouses will be available in Q2, there will be companies interested in manufacturing in these warehouses, not specifically pharmaceutical,” Dr Baccanti said.

Last year the park added 19 new companies and for this year Dr Baccanti said, “I can say at least 20 more.”

Highlighting the reason for significance growth of the cluster despite the global economic crisis, he said, “We are not real estate provider. We talk to them in their own language so they trust us.”

DuBiotech offers flexible laboratory space as one of the key components of the business park. In addition to hosting a range of assets varying from offices to warehouses and land for manufacturing, the 22 million sq. ft. biotechnology cluster enjoys a strategic location with world-class infrastructure.

Biotechnology is a technology based on biology, agriculture, food science, and medicine.

“It is very original model and new concept here in DuBiotech. The targets of science park is always to develop knowledge-based economy,” Dr Baccanti said.

“You have big market here as you can target all the Middle Eastern countries, North Africa and Eastern parts of Levant and certain businesses also possible in India and South Africa.” The Middle East is one of the few growing market in the world at the moment,” he added.

The park also provides business centre facility for new starter and around 34 companies are located in the centre.

“Our business centre is almost full and now we are going for expansion. Some existing business centre clients are planning expansion and need more space,” he said.

He said that the park has two venture capital firms. These type of firms typically comprise small teams - scientists & researchers - with technology backgrounds or those with business training or deep industry experience.

“We have two venture capital firms in DuBiotech dedicated to life science industries, namely Boston BioCapital and NewBridge Pharmaceuticals.”

Laboratory Complex

DuBiotech recently announced the biggest laboratory in the Middle East called: ‘Nucleotide Laboratory Complex’, which is now operational. Comprising 256,000 sq. ft. of leasable area, the ultra-modern Nucleotide Lab Complex is designed to house biotech, life sciences and pharmaceutical activities ranging from research and development, diagnostic, analytical and equipment training activities.

“The Nucleotide Lab Complex is the biggest laboratory facility in the Middle East. It represents a major milestone in the development of DuBiotech. The complex will host some of the world’s most talented researchers and business development managers from academic and industrial fields, working in close collaboration under the DuBiotech licence,” Dr. Baccanti.

“The complex is the ideal place to encourage life sciences initiatives where new ideas are conceptualised and developed into viable businesses, contributing to Dubai’s drive for creating a knowledge economy in the region.”

The Nucleotide Lab Complex allows DuBiotech partners to carry out laboratory-based research and development, testing and training activities in an extremely well designed environment, conceptualise ideas that stimulate creativity and facilitate peer to peer communications between researchers and industry managers . 
— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com