Amgen International Explores Expansion Plans with DuBiotech

Rolf Hoffman, Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations, Amgen International; Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO of TECOM Business Parks; Ashraf Allam, Regional Managing Director of Amgen headquarters for Middle East, Africa and Turkey and Dr Marco Baccanti, Executive Director of DuBiotech

Dubai: 22 August, 2009 – Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the major life sciences hub in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced Amgen International, the world’s largest biotechnology company with an estimated market capitalization of US$65 billion, discussed expansion plans during a meeting of senior management members.

Amgen was one of the first biotech companies to establish operations in the Middle East. Founded in 2006, Amgen’s local organization has since launched activities in several countries in the Middle East, as well as Turkey and South Africa. The headquarters for Amgen’s MEAT (Middle East, Africa and Turkey) operations is located at the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park.

The meeting was attended by Rolf Hoffman, Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations, Amgen International; Dr Amina Al Rustamani, CEO of TECOM Business Parks; Dr Marco Baccanti, Executive Director of DuBiotech, and Ashraf Allam, the Regional Managing Director of Amgen headquarters for Middle East, Africa and Turkey.

Discussing Amgen’s future plans at the biotech park and the potential of expanding regional presence, Hoffman expressed interest in clinical research, and developing clinical trials in collaboration with DuBiotech and clinical research organizations (CROs). Amgen is also exploring the possibility of developing a logistics centre in DuBiotech that is connected to its main logistics platform in Europe to serve the entire Middle East and African markets from Dubai.

Dr Marco Baccanti, Executive Director of DuBiotech, said:

We feel privileged that the development strategy of DuBiotech is facilitating Amgen’s regional expansion plans. The biotechnology cluster gains significance from the infrastructure point of view because of its laboratories, warehouses and offices. Its cluster composition with the presence of pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, CROs, and strong affiliations with the UAE Ministry of Health and local health authorities, further serve as strong incentives for companies seeking a presence in the region.

Amgen is one of the founding members of the DuBiotech community and its operations enrich the biotechnology sector in the region, in addition to contributing to its growth.

Ashraf Allam, Regional Managing Director of Amgen, said:

Our goal is to become the best human therapeutics company in this part of the world. In an area with a population of over half billion people, there is immense potential for Amgen to serve a range of patients.

We chose the park as an ideal location to accommodate the entire life sciences value chain. It provides key facilities and incorporates specially tailored amenities to support the rigorous requirements of research and development, manufacturing, distribution and high value-added services.

Amgen’s Dubai office acts as the regional hub for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey for commercial and medical activities, providing all functional and management support to the region including marketing, medical, finance, supply chain and regulatory affairs.

Currently, DuBiotech hosts some of the world's top pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies such as Pfizer, Genzyme and Merck Serono, and has firmly established itself as a globally recognized centre for the life science industries.

Notes to 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.  

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