Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) plans to establish its Middle East and Africa regional office within Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a free zone dedicated to facilitating and fostering the growth of the life sciences industry in the UAE and a member of Tecom Investments, a developer and operator of business parks.

PhRMA was formed in 1958 to represent America’s biopharmaceutical researchers and biotechnology companies. It focuses on advocating for public policies that encourage the discovery of life-saving and life enhancing new medicines for patients by biopharmaceutical companies. PhRMA’s member companies spent an estimated $48.5 billion in 2012 to discover and develop new medicines, 300 of which have been approved by the FDA in the last decade.

Jonathan Kimball, PhRMA deputy vice president for Middle East and Africa, said, “PhRMA plans to open a Middle East & Africa Regional office in Dubai. The office will be headed by Samir Khalil, PhRMA’s executive director for Middle East and Africa. Dubai is a natural place to establish our office, as the UAE health authorities have developed a robust advanced health sector and services in the country that provide its citizens and residents with quality care and access to medicines.

“The long-term vision, investment and innovation policies of the UAE over the last several years encouraged the global innovative medicines industry to bring regional operations into the UAE,” said Kimball. “Most of PhRMA member companies have established their Middle East & Africa regional offices and operations in Dubai.”

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, executive director of DuBiotech, said, “The hybrid of technical experience and community infrastructure found within our business park, coupled with the proximity to strategic markets, domestic growth potential, improvements in regulations and close connectivity to government, have proved to be the key drivers of growth for DuBiotech and indeed the wider sciences cluster.”

DuBiotech was established to support the government of Dubai’s vision to transform the UAE into a knowledge-based economy and develop the region’s talent pool.

DuBiotech offers infrastructure and R&D facilities specifically designed and built for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical and scientific device, food and agricultural industries. The free zone can support both startups and international firms looking for a regional base for their Middle East or global operations. The park is central to a community that is committed to the industry’s success by bringing together business, regulators and government in partnership.

Since its launch in 2005, DuBiotech has rapidly grown into a community of 140 life sciences companies such as Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Maquet, National Reference Lab, Firmenich and IFF.