Strategic Partnership between “Abu Dhabi Health” and Global Healthcare Giant “Abbott” to Localize Pharmaceuticals and Advance Digital Health

Abu Dhabi Health and Global Healthcare

 Strategic Partnership between “Abu Dhabi Health” and Global Healthcare Giant “Abbott” to Localize Pharmaceuticals and Advance Digital Health

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has signed a strategic partnership agreement with global healthcare company Abbott, aiming to localize pharmaceutical manufacturing and develop digital health solutions in the emirate. The agreement was signed during the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston, USA, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s advanced life sciences infrastructure.

This partnership aims to reduce reliance on imports, enhance supply chain resilience, and establish a self-sufficient and sustainable healthcare system. The execution plan focuses on four main pillars: localizing Abbott’s current product portfolio, developing biosimilar drugs, driving digital transformation through electronic patient information leaflets, and launching specialized educational programs to upskill national talent.

Her Excellency Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stated that this partnership strengthens the emirate’s capacity to accelerate the development of innovative health products, shorten the time needed to bring treatments to market, improve healthcare outcomes, and ensure timely and efficient access to effective therapies. She emphasized that Abu Dhabi’s integrated infrastructure—especially following the launch of the “Health, Medicine and Wellness District for a Sustainable Life”—provides a solid foundation to support national pharmaceutical industries and R&D efforts.

Mazzen Basheer, Regional Director of Pharmaceuticals at Abbott for the Gulf, Levant, and Emerging Markets, highlighted that the partnership focuses on localizing existing pharmaceutical products, exploring opportunities for biosimilar drug development, aligning regulatory frameworks with national authorities, and digitizing life sciences product information through electronic leaflets aligned with the UAE’s digital health strategy. The collaboration will also involve the creation of educational programs to build national competencies and explore R&D cooperation to ensure the long-term sustainability of healthcare in the UAE.