Acino, a Swiss company founded in 1836 close to Basel, was purchased by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi holding and investment company, in 2022. The activities of Pharmax, a nearby pharmaceutical manufacturer, merged with Acino last year. “To see how we can build this site to reach more scale and benefit from the overall portfolio and the geographic reach, not only in the UAE but also potential export opportunities, we leveraged the European and global manufacturing expertise with the local knowledge and investment,” Meenai said.
Medicines had long been a net import for the UAE. According to data from the UAE Federal Customs Authority, the country imported $8.2 billion worth of pharmaceuticals in 2020. Still, its pharmaceutical exports were only $542 million in 2022, according to figures from the CEIC. Experts say the only way to address this deficit is through robust private-sector action.
Acino opened a 1,300 square metre manufacturing facility, increasing its yearly production capacity to 87 million capsules and over 250 million tablets. We have invested in localization to produce valuable goods nearer to the customer. According to Meenai, we employ this strategy throughout the Middle East because the United Arab Emirates, being a key component of the region, supports our local product manufacturing philosophy.
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