DuBiotech Announces Partnership with BioMedix at BIO 2008 in US

New Company to Manufacture IVD Equipment

Dubai: 21 June, 2008 – Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), announced a partnership agreement with BioMedix Inc, leading equipment and services provider for non invasive detection of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), to manufacture in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) equipment in Dubai.

DuBiotech, a member of TECOM Investments, made the announcement on the sidelines of the BIO International Convention, hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, comprising over 1,100 members worldwide. The event that ran from 17-20 June in San Diego, US, brought together more than 20,000 business and industry leaders from 60 countries.

Spread across an area of 47,232 sq ft., the BioMedix facility at DuBiotech will manufacture ELISA kits, as well as PCR, Run Controls and Proficiency Panels. IVD equipment is used to conduct medical tests that protect blood supply, monitor the administration of drugs and offer pertinent data that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

The ELISA kit is used to identify antibodies for microscopic parasites found in human faeces. Reliable, effective and precise, the PCR is a tool for detecting diseases, while the simultaneous use of run control and proficiency panels will help evaluate any IVD equipment in private and government diagnostic laboratories.

Dr. Amina Alrustamani, Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Business Parks, said:

The entry of BioMedix will be a key addition to DuBiotech’s objective of attracting diverse and specialised industry brands to the biotechnology cluster. The company’s team of specialists in in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) will offer medical solutions that facilitate the prevention, treatment, and management of various diseases prevalent in the region. We are confident the presence of BioMedix at DuBiotech will significantly complement the range of medical equipment available in the region, and raise the bar on the quality of healthcare services delivered in the UAE.

The local manufacture of IVD equipment will offer considerable cost advantages, while encouraging patients to seek voluntary tests. The company’s professional team will include laboratory technicians, quality managers and a laboratory director. In addition, BioMedix will offer training for medical and related healthcare professionals.

Dr Alrustamani added:

Participation in this year’s edition of the Bio International Convention proved highly valuable for its focus on biotechnology trends, policy issues and technological innovations. Concurrently, the BIO Exhibition provided rich industry insights that will help us establish a world-class research centre, one of DuBiotech’s key objectives.

Despite several companies producing IVD equipment that are globally used, only a few laboratories utilise proficiency panels to check the performance of the technician and the accuracy of the kits. The availability of BioMedix’s run controls and proficiency panels at DuBiotech will help the UAE establish itself as the leader of the region’s quality control network.

DuBiotech aims to provide necessary infrastructure for all entities involved in the life sciences industry, including agricultural, environmental, and marine biotechnology sectors. In addition to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, the park also provides support services for R&D, manufacturing and commercial operations.

Offering a complete value chain to help companies set up operations, DuBiotech currently hosts 37 licensed firms. The free zone is working closely with the UAE Ministry of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, and other relevant regulatory bodies to further grow the life sciences industry in the country.

Notes for the editors

About DuBiotech

Announced in February 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a science and business park dedicated to the biotechnology industry, set within a ‘free zone’. DuBiotech has two arms. The first is the Foundation for Research and Innovation (FRI) that will initially focus on government-funded R&D in medicine and genetics, plant biotechnology encompassing food and agricultural biotech, environmental biotech and equine-related biotechnology. Other areas include drug discovery, stem cell research, infectious diseases and forensic research. The second arm of DuBiotech aims to set up a biotechnology industry cluster with cutting-edge infrastructure, facilities and services for incubators, R&D labs, biotech-related educational institutions, suppliers, biotech-related manufacturing companies and organizations from other sectors in the industry. DuBiotech is advised by an independent steering committee on scientific, business and ethical matters. In cooperation with global research leader, RTI International, DuBiotech is developing comprehensive regulations that address all aspects of biotech activity. Being in a ‘free zone’ means biotechnology firms in the park have 100 % exemption from any form of taxation for 50 years, 100 % business ownership and 100 % repatriation of capital.

For further information, please call:

Zeba Ahmad
JiWiN
The Exclusive Middle East Affiliate of Burson-Marsteller
Tel:+9714 361 3590 (direct)
    +9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax:+9714 388 8001
E-mail: Zeba.Ahmad@jiwin.ae

Or

Cynthia Luna-Harb
JiWiN
The Exclusive Middle East Affiliate of Burson-Marsteller
Tel:+9714 375 5878 (direct)
    +9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax:+9714 388 8001
E-mail: Cynthia.Luna@jiwin.ae