Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), announced a partnership agreement with BioMedix, leading equipment and services provider for non invasive detection of peripheral vascular disease, to manufacture in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) equipment in Dubai.

DuBiotech, a member of Tecom Investments, made the announcement on the sidelines of the Bio International Convention, hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), comprising over 1,100 members worldwide.

The event, which ended on Friday in San Diego, brought together more than 20,000 business and industry leaders from 60 countries.

Spread across an area of 47,232 sq ft, the BioMedix facility at DuBiotech will manufacture Elisa kits, as well as PCR, Run Controls and Proficiency Panels.

IVD equipment is used to conduct medical tests that protect blood supply, monitor the administration of drugs and offer pertinent data that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, said a Tecom official.

The Elisa kit is used to identify antibodies for microscopic parasites found in human faeces. Reliable, effective and precise, the PCR is a tool for detecting diseases, while the simultaneous use of run control and proficiency panels will help evaluate any IVD equipment in private and government diagnostic laboratories.

Dr Amina Alrustamani, chief executive officer, Tecom Business Parks, said the entry of BioMedix would be a key addition to DuBiotech’s objective of attracting diverse and specialised industry brands to the biotechnology cluster.

She pointed out that the company’s team of specialists in IVD would offer medical solutions that facilitate the prevention, treatment, and management of various diseases prevalent in the region.

"We are confident the presence of BioMedix at DuBiotech will significantly complement the range of medical equipment available in the region, and raise the bar on the quality of healthcare services delivered in the UAE," she added.

The local manufacture of IVD equipment will offer considerable cost advantages, while encouraging patients to seek voluntary tests. The company’s professional team will include laboratory technicians, quality managers and a laboratory director. In addition, BioMedix will offer training for medical and related healthcare professionals.

Dr Alrustamani added: “Participation in this year’s edition of the Bio International Convention proved highly valuable for its focus on biotechnology trends, policy issues and technological innovations."

"Concurrently, the Bio Exhibition provided rich industry insights that will help us establish a world-class research centre, one of DuBiotech’s key objectives," she added.

Despite several companies producing IVD equipment that are globally used, only a few laboratories utilise proficiency panels to check the performance of the technician and the accuracy of the kits.

The availability of BioMedix’s run controls and proficiency panels at DuBiotech will help the UAE establish itself as the leader of the region’s quality control network.

DuBiotech aims to provide necessary infrastructure for all entities involved in the life sciences industry, including agricultural, environmental, and marine biotechnology sectors. In addition to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, the park also provides support services for R&D, manufacturing and commercial operations.

Offering a complete value chain to help companies set up operations, DuBiotech currently hosts 37 licensed firms.

The free zone is working closely with the UAE Ministry of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, and other relevant regulatory bodies to further grow the life sciences industry in the country.-TradeArabia News Service