Rare disease researcher Shire has opened its new offices in Dubai, as the UAE seeks annual pharmaceutical investments of AED3 billion ($820 million) by 2021.
The firm’ new site will serve as a regional hub for its Eurasia, Middle East and Africa operations, overseeing a network of 10 local offices and activity spanning 30 countries.
Dr Ramsey Morad, vice president, Shire Eurasia, Middle East and Africa, said, “Our ambition is to change the future for people with rare diseases, and we’re working hard to accelerate patient access to our next-generation therapies.”
He added that of the 7,000 known rare diseases, only 5 percent are treatable, and that nearly one in 20 people living in the region suffer from rare diseases.
The firm added that the Dubai hub will support Shire’s commitment to accelerating access to life-changing rare disease treatments for patients by helping to strengthen relationships with stakeholders in academic research, clinical practice, regulatory affairs and medical innovation.
Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary of Public Health Policy and Licensing at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, said, “Shire’s position as the global biotech leader in rare diseases will help us to develop solutions together for the UAE and the wider EAMEA region.
“We are delighted that Shire has chosen the United Arab Emirates to be the regional hub for its EAMEA operations and share their ambition and commitment to create innovative healthcare solutions that benefit the underserved rare-disease patient community.”
Earlier this year, the UAE unveiled plans to establish itself as a global hub for international pharmaceutical companies, with the number of manufacturing factories set to double by 2021.
The total number in the UAE is currently 47 offices, with plans to increase this to 75 by 2021, where investments will exceed AED3 billion annually.
There are 18 drug production plants in the UAE with that number expected to increase to 34 over the same period.
