Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a major life sciences hub in the Middle East, has registered over 33 per cent growth during 2011 with 21 biotechnology companies setting up operations at the free zone destination.

DuBiotech’s performance coincides with its seventh anniversary this month.

DuBiotech, a member of Tecom Investments, is the world’s first free-zone dedicated to the life sciences industry, hosting 90 biotechnology companies operating diverse sectors including Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Serono, Bristol-Myers Squibb, MAQUET, Genzyme, Firmenich and IFF.

Companies registered at DuBiotech during 2011 include Bristol Myers Squibb, National Starch and Chemical Middle East, Wokhardt and Chr Hansen Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC.

In 2011, DuBiotech welcomed for the first time companies based in Brazil, Korea and Turkey, and garnered continued interest from life sciences companies in Germany and India. Last year, the park also witnessed strong growth from existing businesses at DuBiotech with some businesses significantly expanding their operations in the Park.

Continuing its support to small and medium (SME) Life Sciences companies and in response to the high demand from these companies, DuBiotech opened its second business centre at the Nucleotide Laboratory Complex in July 2011.

“The year 2011 saw us marking remarkable progress on several fronts. In addition to welcoming 21 biotechnology companies to the free zone, most of them industry leaders, we also added a new segment to our portfolio with the setting up of BYK Chemicals, the park’s first industrial biotech company,” said Marwan Abdul Aziz, director of Business Development at DuBiotech.

“The remaining verticals such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural biotech, as well as medical devices and equipment have also witnessed strong growth. Backed by these optimistic results, we are fully geared to further meet our objectives for 2012.”

The park aims to continue its focus on pharmaceutical, medical devices and equipment, agricultural as well as environmental biotech firms in 2012, he added.

Furthermore, DuBiotech is looking into collaborating with educational institutions and universities to accelerate the development of the biotechnology industry in the UAE. – TradeArabia News Service