New LIFEPharma hub to speed up medicine supply in UAE

LIFEPharma plans to invest AED 700 million in a new manufacturing platform at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), in partnership with AD Ports Group. The facility will produce vaccines, cancer drugs and advanced injectables, with a strong focus on improving pharma logistics by shortening supply chains and increasing local distribution capacity.

For logistics, the project reduces dependence on long-distance imports of temperature-sensitive medicines. Vaccines and biologics often require strict cold chain handling, and local production cuts transit time, lowers risk of spoilage, and reduces pressure on air cargo capacity. This is especially important during disruptions, when global supply chains can slow down.

Being based in KEZAD also connects the facility directly to ports, industrial zones and transport networks. This allows faster movement of raw materials into the country and finished medicines to hospitals and regional markets. It can also improve inventory planning, as companies can produce closer to demand instead of relying on large imported stock.