The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), known as the world's first free zone dedicated to the life science industry, is setting up its laboratory in a 22-storey building. The laboratory is designed in such a way as to be the centre of excellence for biotechnology education and research. Dubiotech is also building another 22-storey structure for its headquarters.
With a nearly 600,000 sq ft animal reserve facility for indigenous conservation and wildlife protection and 600,000 sq ft headquarters, the two connected towers are part of phase I of the overall project that is scheduled for completion in 2009. The buildings designed by CUH2A, a recognised leader in designing facilities for science and technology organisations, are one of the world's largest green buildings.
The headquarters, Bio HQ building, would house regional sales and marketing offices of multinationals and start up companies specialising in life sciences. It is expected to be completed in May 2009.
The Nucleotide Complex, the laboratory building with facilities enabling companies to conduct laboratory-based research and analysis without the need to build their own dedicated facilities, is scheduled for completion by September 2008. The TECOM Investments, the master developers of DuBiotech, broke ground for the construction of the buildings in the beginning of November 2007.
TECOM Investments revealed that all the manufacturing and community service buildings are also designed to be certified 'green' buildings. Both the projects would be managed by Dubai Properties, even though Belhasa Engineering and Contracting and Al Sahel Contracting were appointed as contractors for the headquarters and the laboratory buildings, respectively.
At present, around 28 companies have commenced full fledged operations in DuBiotech by earning license from the authorities, said informed sources. The list of companies which set up their centres in the biotech park includes Amgen International - the California based world's largest biotech company, Merck Serono - a division of Germany based pharmaceutical major Merck KGaA, Genzyme - the US based biotech company and NeoPharma - the pharma unit under the UAE based healthcare conglomerate New Medical Centre Group.
Being launched in the middle of November 2007, the Merck Serono regional office with 700-square-meter area will accommodate 40 employees and cater the company's operations in 12 countries in the Middle and Near East.
Asserting the connection between Indian pharma companies and the Middle East nations, the Dubiotech also houses the facility for NeoBiocon, a joint venture company between Neopharma and the Indian biotech innovator Biocon. The new venture has commenced its operation in the middle of 2007, envisaged to expand the global network of Biocon to provide affordable bio-therapeutics for unmet medical needs, with support from Neopharma.
In a latest development, the NCC Urban Infrastructure Limited, a subsidiary of the India's major construction firm Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited (NCCL) has announced the launch of NCC Harmony, a mixed-use freehold development at DuBiotech with an investment of Dhs1.5bn.
The twin tower project of 2.3 million square feet built-up area at DuBiotech will be the company's first project in Dubai. The project, to be fully ready by 2010 with two 32-level towers will be equipped with a health club, spa and pool area, spread over 53,000 square feet to make it one of the biggest health facilities in Dubai at present.
The park, launched in the beginning of 2005, is expected to be the centre of excellence in Biotechnology, bridging research, education and industry through national and international collaboration in the coming decade. The park is working closely with the UAE Ministry of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, and other relevant regulatory bodies to further develop the life sciences industry in the country.
The promoters promise to provide entire support needed to make the drug manufacturers and industry specific service providers through efficient and effective process. The service providers in the park include suppliers of laboratory equipment and reagents, venture capital firms, design consultants, etc. The park enjoys the benefits of various concessions same like many Free Zones created in Dubai in the last two decades, according to government officials. The companies operating from DuBiotech enjoy the business benefits including 100 percent foreign ownership, 100 percent repatriation of profits, 100 percent tax free operations, single window for government services, long- term lease, special customs exemptions and fast-track visa services.
In January 2007, the park administration has finalised comprehensive codes of practice (COPs) for the companies operating in the premises. Dubiotech, in tie up with the US based Research Triangle Institute International (RTI), has developed COPs based on international best practices covering all activities related to clinical research and clinical trials, manufacturing and environment and health and safety.
The COPs, developed by the authority are in line with the regulatory norms defined by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organisation (WHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) and the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH).
Pointing on the importance of setting up of the regulatory norms, Dr. Abdulqader Alkhayat, Executive Director of DuBiotech quoted as saying, "DuBiotech's initiative to develop sustainable buildings matches its commitment to be a socially and environmentally responsible organization."
DuBiotech is designed to cover two main clusters under its objectives, an industry cluster and the Foundation for Research and Innovation (FRI). As part of developing clusters, the park is envisaged to attract a synergistic mix of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies active in drug discovery, R&D, testing, production, storage, sales and distribution. It will also attract companies offering business support services for this industry such as legal and venture capital (VC) firms specialising in the biotech industry, educational and training institutions focused on biotech, and equipment, materials and consumables suppliers.
The park is expected to commence full fledged operation within 2009 in an area of 300-hectare with an estimated cost of about Dh130 million for the infrastructure, and Dh600 million for the lab and headquarters buildings. It will build affiliations and partnerships and pursue collaborations with renowned universities, specialised medical institutions, international NGOs and other leading biotechnology parks and clusters while it will also work closely with academic institutions in the UAE and elsewhere in the GCC for better academic know-how, added sources.