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The number of clinical research organisations (CRO) in the UAE is set to rise with free zones such as the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) attracting companies with its cost-effective and enabling services, according to Marwan Abdulaziz, Business Development Director of DuBiotech, the major Life Sciences hub in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments.
He added: “Understanding the needs of the industry and our business partners will enable us to work towards reforms that will facilitate the growth of the sector besides ensuring greater medical assistance to patients.”
Abdulaziz’s comments come on the eve of DuBiotech’s participation at the Clinical Trials Partnership Summit Middle East 2011 that aims to provide strategies and share knowledge on critical issues such as regulatory compliance, optimising clinical trials, overcoming challenges faced by the sector and identifying business opportunities in the Middle East.
The event will be held from 28-30 November at the Dusit Thani Dubai and gather stakeholders from leading research sites, clinical research organisations, government authorities and regulators, as well as pharmaceutical companies.
DuBiotech will leverage its presence at the summit to highlight its commitment to driving Dubai-based clinical trials in the region. According to latest statistics from clinicaltrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 31,309 clinical trials are conducted worldwide, of which the US accounts for 52 per cent and the MENA region for 5.5 per cent.
Marwan Abdulaziz said: “The Middle East Clinical Trials offers a perfect platform for DuBiotech to communicate with potential business partners and forge ties with institutions that share our vision. Through the event, we look forward to gaining insight into the latest studies and researches in the sector specific to the region, particularly the UAE, and position Dubai as the ideal hub for driving cross-sectorial clinical trials.”
Doaa Said, Event Director for Clinical Trails Partnership Middle East Summit, said: “The summit will gather key stakeholders from leading research sites, clinical research organizations, regulators and pharmaceutical companies. The Middle East clinical trials market is one of the most attractive for global pharmaceutical companies. This is largely driven by the comparatively lower costs for conducting clinical trials in the Middle East. Through the summit, we aim to create greater opportunity for all stakeholders interested in clinical trials in the region to learn and share experience with the ultimate aim of benefitting patients and improving the quality of clinical research in the region.”
Launched in 2005, DuBiotech offers a facilitating environment for major players in the life sciences industry and research through adopting a sustainable strategy and leveraging the benefits of its location in Dubai. In 2010, DuBiotech opened the high-tech Nucleotide laboratory complex and the warehousing facilities. The park currently hosts over 86 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and laboratory equipment companies and testing laboratories, including Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Serono, and Genzyme.
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