Abu Dhabi-based ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, has announced two strategic investments, significantly expanding its healthcare and pharma portfolio.

ADQ has agreed to acquire Pharmax Pharmaceuticals, a UAE-based pharmaceutical company which manufactures and markets affordable, branded generic medication, and also to invest in a minority stake in Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd  hat specialises in developing, manufacturing and marketing high-quality, affordable biosimilars across global markets.

Through its investment in Pharmax, ADQ strengthens its healthcare portfolio by addressing a shortage of affordable medication to create a cost-efficient healthcare system in the UAE that balances cost and quality.

At the same time, this equity investment in Biocon Biologics represents an important step towards developing cutting-edge expertise in high quality biosimilars to target chronic conditions such as diabetes, oncology, immunology, etc.

After these two investments are complete, ADQ will have investments across the healthcare and pharma value chain– beginning with pharmaceutical development and manufacturing with Pharmax, patient care through Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), laboratory testing services through Union71 and reimbursement through National Health Insurance Company (Daman).

In addition, a minority stake in Biocon Biologics will give us an opportunity to get exposure to high growth biosimilars segment. ADQ’s extensive portfolio also extends to pharmaceutical procurement, handling and logistics with its ownership of Rafed, Abu Dhabi Ports, and Abu Dhabi Airport Company as well as its investment in Aramex.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of ADQ, said: “Our long-term ambition for ADQ’s healthcare and pharma portfolio is to create a provision-centred, digitally enhanced ecosystem that is anchored in world-class clinical excellence, effective population health management and resilient supply chain infrastructure. While we anticipate this will unlock shareholder value, it will also, importantly, deliver positive socio-economic impact with better health outcomes, optimized healthcare spend and more opportunities for local and international talent.”

“We are well on our way to building out a supply chain that ensures greater accessibility of healthcare and pharma products and supplies for the people of Abu Dhabi and beyond. As a local producer of generic medication, Pharmax will provide us with a high-quality facility, deep sector knowledge and strong relationships for growing pharma manufacturing in the UAE.

“Biocon Biologics proven R&D track record, manufacturing scale and commercial partnerships worldwide provide us with an opportunity to benefit from the biosimilar sector that is set to grow as patents of originator biologics expire and patients demand lower priced drugs globally,” he added.

Dr Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon, said: We welcome ADQ as our investment partner as we pursue our shared goal of expanding access to high quality affordable biopharmaceuticals to patients across the globe. We are committed to pursue our affordable innovation model to generate savings for the healthcare systems worldwide. This investment is an endorsement of the value that Biocon Biologics business has built as a fully integrated pure-play biosimilars company and will enable us to expand our capabilities further.”

Madhukar Tanna, Chief Executive Officer of Pharmax Pharmaceuticals, commented: “We established Pharmax with the belief that patients all over the world deserve access to affordable, effective medications. Joining forces with ADQ will allow us to increase the availability of locally manufactured, quality, affordable generic and complex drugs. At the same time, we will have greater opportunities to increase availability of pharmaceuticals in the UAE while further expanding our distribution in the region.” – TradeArabia News Service