DuBiotech's Nucleotide Lab Complex Achieves LEED Silver Certification

First LEED Certified Laboratory Building in the Region

Dubai: 13 April, 2010 – The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), a major life sciences free zone in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced its Nucleotide Laboratory Complex has received the LEED Silver certification, making it the first lab in the region to achieve the distinction.

The new lab building has incorporated facilities for the improved usage of resources such as water, energy and materials. It also has the capability to mitigate any impact on human health and the environment throughout its lifecycle.

The newly certified lab complex will achieve water savings of approximately 1.5 million gallons or 60 per cent a year compared to a typical building in Dubai, while energy savings will amount to nearly AED1.2 million or 27.1 per cent a year compared to the ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Code. To accomplish its ambitious targets, the laboratory complex has incorporated practices such as passive design and solar shading into the building plan. It also aims to creatively utilize foliage and xeriscape gardening as a practical alternative to lawns and for reducing irrigation water consumption.

The lab complex also has a built-in storm water drainage feature that allows the rain water on the site to flow to the ground and preserve the natural local water cycle.

Dr. Marco Baccanti, Executive Director, DuBiotech, said:

“The new Nucleotide Laboratory complex that has just opened in the DuBiotech free zone, with its 265,000 sq. ft. of laboratory space conceived to host R&D activities in the life sciences, has been meticulously designed to reduce its environmental impact from all points of view: energy, water, waste, landscape. “The LEED certification just achieved is proof that these efforts have been internationally recognized as effective. DuBiotech has now demonstrated that it is possible to combine high technology research and development with energy savings, lower carbon footprint and better overall controlled environmental impact, without any compromise on the world class quality of the infrastructure.”

Ali Bin Towaih, Executive Director of TECOM Investments’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Division, who led the LEED project at DuBiotech, said:

“The benefits of LEED certified projects are innumerable – not only do they significantly reduce any adverse impact on the environment, thereby reducing our carbon footprint, but also have a financial benefit in reducing operational expenses.  All these projects amply demonstrate that green projects can be successfully implemented in the regional environment, clearing the way for market adoption. Our initiatives are in line with the vision of the Dubai Government and SEED has developed an extensive know-how to help realize this long term objective.”

Launched in 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park, has the mission to create the biggest life sciences cluster in the Middle East, adopting a sustainable strategy. Its business model is based on providing the best environment for major players in the life sciences industry and research through leveraging the benefits of its location in Dubai, offering free zone benefits and creating world class infrastructure.

About DuBiotech

Established in February 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a leading life sciences cluster in the Middle East, and a member of TECOM Investments. The free zone currently hosts 65 major pharmaceutical firms including Pfizer, Genzyme, Merck-Serono and Amgen, as well as companies specialized in biomedical and scientific devices, biotechnology, cosmesis, and enzymes. DuBiotech offers flexible laboratory space as one of the key components of the sprawling business park.

In addition to hosting a range of assets varying from offices to warehouses and land for manufacturing, the 22 million sq. ft. biotechnology cluster enjoys a strategic location with world-class infrastructure. A number of free zone-associated incentives such as full ownership, tax-free profit repatriation and business friendly environment that DuBiotech offers makes the cluster an ideal destination for life sciences companies seeking to address the fast growing regional markets. For more information, please contact:

Hammam Al Yazji
JIWIN Public Relations
Tel: +971 4 43755877
Mob: +971 50 9232100
Email: hammam.alyazji@jiwin.ae