Thumbay Labs, a leading network of private diagnostic labs in the region, owned and operated by UAE’s Thumbay Group, is showcasing its latest offering at the ongoing Arablab 2016 exhibition, in Dubai, UAE.

The event which kicked off yesterday (March 20) will conclude on March 23, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Thumbay Labs, a leading name in diagnostic testing, is today the largest chain of diagnostic labs in the private sector in UAE as well as the fifth largest standalone lab in the country. Considering the region as a whole, Thumbay Labs is among the largest service providers in terms of the range of tests available, the number of diagnostic tests done and revenue, said a statement.

The UAE laboratory sector comprises approximately 1,500 medical centres, 41 standalone laboratory and 95 laboratories attached to hospitals out of which 33 are in the government sector. These laboratories test approximately 20,000 samples a day, indicating a yearly market of Dh470-550 million ($127.9 – 149.7 million), it added.

Thumbay Labs, from its facilities in hospitals, clinics and standalone units, registers an income approximately one-fifth the yearly market of the country, it said.

The current year will see several aggressive initiatives from Thumbay Labs, in the quest for further widening its tests portfolio, as well as to increase market share. It is eyeing major hospitals, both in the private and government sectors, to expand its clientele, and has plans to further expand to new locations in the UAE as well as abroad.

A key strategy is to focus on “specialised segments” targeting key specialties like diabetotology, genetics and women and child health. An example is ‘NeoScreen’ which is a 57 parameter assay for new born screening priced aggressively at Dh320 ($82) lowest in the country. It uses multiple technologies like LCMS, HPLC, and time resolved flourimetry.

Dr P K Menon, director of Thumbay Labs, said that the brand was poised to be an important player in the diagnostics industry of UAE and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

“We are undertaking our next phase of expansion by introducing new technologies like matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI-TOF), ICPMS, FTIR which will position us as the best-equipped lab in the region. We are looking for collaboration so as to enhance lab quality and productivity of client laboratories. We also are key to enhance innovation in medical research,” he added.

Thumbay Labs is the only College of American Pathologists (CAP) accredited laboratory in the Northern Emirates of the UAE. It operates under the Center for Advanced Biomedical Research and Innovation (Cabri), a state-of-the-art facility established at the Gulf Medical University, Ajman for research and diagnostics.

Thumbay Moideen, founder and president of Thumbay Group, said: “Cabri plays an important role in enhancing the quality of training for students undergoing Master’s degree at Gulf Medical University. It also plays important part in enhancing student/faculty research and coordinates contracted research through our group’s hospitals.”

Thumbay Labs operating in UAE and Hyderabad, India, will soon have more outlets with comprehensive clinical testing facilities like imaging, cardio/neuro tests, occupational health related tests, allergy and intolerance testing and a wide array of preventive health panels, it added. – TradeArabia News Service