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Dubai
has announced plans to create the world’s first free
zone dedicated to the biotechnology industry as the
emirate continues its quest for economic diversification
and strengthens its position as the most dynamic
business city in the region.
The Dubai
Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) will be
built in several phases on a 300-hectare site located
close to the Dubailand leisure project, and will provide
the infrastructure and environment for the regional
development of biotechnology - a broad term generally
used to describe the use of biology in industrial
processes such as agriculture, food production and drug
development.
The project
was unveiled by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence
Minister, who said DuBiotech represents the next phase
in Dubai’s shift towards a knowledge-based society.
“Since the discovery of DNA, science has made great
breakthroughs in the fields of health, agriculture and
production,” Sheikh Mohammed said during the recent
announcement. “The scope of these applications is
increasing every day - biotechnology has become one of
the determinants of development in the Knowledge Age.
“Thus, it is impossible to progress in this age without
directly incorporating biotechnology. This is exactly
what we aim to achieve by launching the Dubai
Biotechnology Initiative. It will serve as another
pillar in our edifice of knowledge that benefits both
society and the economy.”
He said
DuBiotech
aims to attract the best scientists, research centres and biotechnology laboratories to Dubai
to create a centre for production, creativity and
development, and ultimately place the emirate at the
forefront of the modern scientific advancement that is
shaping the world’s future.
“I want the Dubai Biotechnology Initiative to be a
centre for civilization and science in the UAE and to
benefit the wider world,” Sheikh Mohammed said, adding
that the project follows in the footsteps of previous
knowledge-based initiatives like Dubai Internet City,
e-Government and Dubai Media City.
“Like them, it will spread the modern technology culture
which put the UAE on the map as a role model for the
region and the world and made it a pioneer in the field
of Information and Communication Technology,” he said.
“The Dubai Biotechnology Initiative will create an ideal
platform for the regional and international scientific
community to interact closely with regards to one of the
sciences that is strongly linked to the Knowledge Age.”
The
development of a knowledge-based economy, Sheikh
Mohammed said, has required monumental shifts in the
very structure of Dubai, which is poised to
significantly benefit the future development of the UAE
as a country and a society.
“It is a historic transformation as it entails
reconsidering all our activities, regulations, rules for
work and education, as well as the structure of our
government and economy,” he said. “We have taken all the
necessary actions and we are progressing on our journey.
We have been challenging ourselves, and challenging time
and have successfully made it, as we have built the
solid foundations required for this transformation.
“We now have a well-developed electronic infrastructure
that compares well with similar infrastructures in the
developed countries. Our economy has now become a modern
economy, which relies on advanced technology. This has
resulted in a great boost for the gross domestic
product, achieving high levels of growth, increasing
direct foreign investments, and reinforcing the standing
of the UAE in the region and the world. However, in
spite of all what we have successfully achieved, we are
still at the beginning of the road.”
The next step on the journey is the development of a
world-class biotechnology park, Sheikh Mohammed said.
Upon completion, DuBiotech will cover over 30 million
square feet of built-up area, comprising custom-made
research and development (R&D) facilities - such as
labs, clean rooms and incubators, office space and
residential facilities, with the first phase of
development due to be completed by early 2006.
The project is headed by Dr. Abdulqader Al Khayat, who
recently left his position as Director General of Dubai
Police's General Department of Forensic Administration
to take over as Executive Director of DuBiotech.
'We are confident that DuBiotech will become the centre
of excellence for biotechnology in the region,” said Dr.
Al Khayat, who has over 20 years of experience in the
fields of genetics and forensics. “We will achieve this
by creating the right business and regulatory
environment, developing state-of-the-art scientific
facilities, securing government funding, and maintaining
an unwavering focus on developing R&D within the region.
“Today, businesses can come to Dubai very easily and
start work. However, for specialised businesses that
produce medicines and highly developed life sciences
products and services, there is a need to establish
regulatory frameworks based on international best
practices. The key focus of these regulations will be
upholding the highest ethical, environmental, health and
safety standards.
“Biotech companies also require specific locations in
which it’s not only suitable, but also appropriate to
conduct their daily business activities. It’s also
natural for biotech companies to congregate within
specific science parks, which contribute towards
business partnerships and sharing of industry
experience.”
Dr. Al Khayat said DuBiotech will comprise two main
initiatives - an industry cluster and the Foundation for
Research and Innovation (FRI).
“As part of developing a cluster, DuBiotech seeks to
attract a synergistic mix of biotechnology and
pharmaceutical companies active in discovery, R&D,
testing, production, storage, sales and distribution,”
he said. “It will also attract companies offering
business support services for this industry such as
legal and venture capital firms specialising in the
biotech industry, educational and training institutions
focused on biotech, and equipment, materials and
consumables suppliers.”
The Foundation for Research and Innovation, he said,
will be a specialised organisation focusing on
government-funded research and development in select
fields like medical genetics, plant biotechnology
encompassing food and agriculture, environmental and
equine-related biotechnology, drug discovery,
pharmaceutical research, stem cell research, infectious
diseases and forensic research.
Incubator facilities within the foundation will also
help innovative new projects develop into productive and
profitable ventures, while business development and
administrative assistance offered by the foundation will
help start-ups to concentrate on their core
competencies.
To encourage new ventures, he said, DuBiotech will have
a system in place that will provide funding and
financial assistance to research initiatives, incubators
and joint projects, while an investment committee will
be set up to make funding decisions after conducting due
diligence on business plans.
Companies operating from the park will be able to take
advantage of a host of support facilities and services -
areas have been set aside for companies who wish to
construct their own buildings, while dedicated
production, warehousing and distribution areas will be
created.
Clean rooms, vivariums and specialised equipment will
also be available, while other common facilities will
include a library, video-conferencing, auditorium,
theatre, meeting rooms, restaurants, retail banking and
a mailroom. Also planned for the future are botanical
gardens and a museum.
Dr. Alkhayat said the park aims to work closely with
academic institutions in the UAE and elsewhere in the
GCC region and beyond to develop programmes that will
enhance biotechnology knowledge and bring its benefits
to society, the economy and environment.
“DuBiotech will also make efforts to engage the local
community so that biotechnology advances can make a
positive impact on our quality of life,” he said. “This
initiative is more than an economic venture and will
have a strong social focus - DuBiotech seeks to provide
a long-term view for the region by providing not just
for the next generation but the generations that will
follow it.” | 
