Dubai Science Park Firms Boost UAE Response to COVID-19

Health and Safety

May 3, 2020, 10:51 am

Medical and biotechnology companies in Dubai Science Park, a holistic science-focused business community, have made a significant contribution to the UAE’s ongoing efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve.

Dubai Science Park, part of TECOM Group, is home to more than 350 companies employing over 3,600 people. Many of these firms – from multinational corporations to SMEs – are working around the clock to support the screening, detection and identification of COVID-19, as well as providing diagnostic and disinfection services locally, regionally and globally.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director, Dubai Science Park, said: “Healthcare is now at the heart of the UAE’s response to the current situation and our partners are doing their part by providing critical diagnostic, testing and disinfection services to ensure the safety and wellbeing of communities across the region.

“Dubai Science Park is equipped with world-class, eco-friendly laboratories designed to meet the highest industry standards. They have enabled us to attract world-class companies to the UAE and empowered our community to create life-saving innovations.”

Among the firms is Dubai-based next-generation genomics company Agiomix, the largest licensed commercial sequencing facility in the Middle East and internationally accredited by the College of American Pathology (CAP). It is playing a vital role in clinical testing of COVID-19 working closely with all government entities and the Dubai health authority. Patient samples are tested three times per day, seven days a week at its lab, one of the first to offer accurate, reliable results for the medical community. Alongside other nationwide efforts, this has contributed to the world-leading per capita testing figures for COVID-19.

Multinational biomedical distribution company Alliance Global, based in Dubai since 2006, has been at the forefront of efforts to screen and diagnose COVID-19 cases in emerging markets. The group supplies PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test kits, instrumentation and consumables to laboratories. It has also devised a comprehensive solution for COVID-19 testing, based on benchtop molecular testing, which has been supplied to many countries and healthcare providers across the region. The business has supplied over 100,000 COVID-19 molecular tests and tens of benchtop lab setups to customers in Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Bio-Rad Middle East is another firm producing diagnostic products and distributing them to healthcare customers in Africa, the Middle East and other parts of the world. The subsidiary of California-based Bio-Rad Laboratories has been a member of Dubai’s science-focused ecosystem since 2014. Following the outbreak, laboratory service providers in the UAE have used its systems to complete PCR tests. The life sciences company recently launched validated standards and controls to improve the quality of test results.

As a world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher Scientific is helping respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in many ways. The company has mobilised its scientific and commercial teams to support virus identification, rapid vaccine development and the deployment of personal protective equipment to meet the global demand for novel detection and prevention technologies. Thermo Fisher also provides diagnostic testing using qPCR technology under a CE-IVD mark received on 26 March, and is currently producing more than five million COVID-19 tests per week to be distributed on a global basis.
French indoor air treatment specialist Eolisair, a Dubai Science Park member since 2018, has provided healthcare facilities with its smart Eolis Air Manager. This patented technology has sensors to determine indoor air pollution levels and removes viruses, dust, allergens and odours. Hospitals in more than 35 countries are using the air purifier to sterilise indoor environments and from its Dubai hub, Eolisair is enabling the Middle East to overcome COVID-19.

Finally, Keymea Pure has increased manufacturing capacity of hand sanitisers and disinfectants to meet growing demand. The personal care products manufacturer has been based in Dubai Science Park for several years and continues to develop hygiene brands such as Marssai and Peekaboo that address the safety and security of people living in the UAE. Keymea brands are available at major retailers like Carrefour.

Dubai Science Park was established in 2005 to support innovation by helping companies utilise cutting-edge technology and knowledge to foster growth in human, plant, material, environmental and energy sciences. Many of these businesses have continued to play an active role in the UAE’s ongoing ability to overcome exceptional circumstances.