As China battles a surge in HMPV cases, UAE doctors reassure residents about this common respiratory virus while advising basic precautions during travel
Healthcare
Dubai Investments
Dubai’s Globalpharma unveils 2025 plans with 25 new product launches
The new product launches are in a range of therapeutic areas, including diabetes, cardiovascular, gastroenterology, and orthopaedics
Diabetes
Abu Dhabi’s IROS to collaborate in clinical study on obesity treatment
US-based Halia Therapeutics’ new therapy will be put to a six-month-long trial that will involve 60 patients with type 2 diabetes in the UAE
Abu Dhabi
Burjeel broadens physiotherapy offering in KSA with new acquisition
Abu Dhabi group buys 100% stake in Makkah’s Specialist Physiotherapy Center, adding to its PhysioTherabia network
Pharmaceutical
UAE introduces new medical and pharmaceutical laws with fines of up to $272,000
UAE issues laws to regulate medical products, the pharmacy profession, and pharmaceutical establishments
Emiratis
UAE implements mandatory genetic testing in premarital screening for Emiratis from January 1
The initiative follows a decision from the Emirates Genome Council, approved during the UAE government’s annual meetings
Abu Dhabi
Mubadala acquires majority stakes in global medical supply chain, Al Ittihad Drug Store
The strategic acquisition enhances Mubadala’s presence in the healthcare logistics and pharmaceutical distribution sectors
insurance
UAE expands health sector with new insurance coverage for workers
The UAE allocated AED 5.745 billion, representing 8% of the federal budget for the 2025 fiscal year, to healthcare and community prevention services
Corporate tax
UAE salaries to fall; Corporate Tax changes; Top Dubai real estate areas; Drone deliveries launched – 10 things you missed this week
UAE and Saudi salary updates, Dubai real estate analysis, Corporate Tax changes, major health insurance update and more top stories this week
Abu Dhabi
Groundbreaking CAR-T therapy performed on lupus patient in Abu Dhabi
Patient has stable platelet count and haemoglobin levels with decreased symptoms after the region’s first CAR-T therapy by ADSCC
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi to cover all death-related fees and repatriation costs for expats
Abu Dhabi has expanded a compassionate service to cover the costs of death-related services and repatriation for expats
Dubai
ShopDoc plans $50mn Dubai-Kerala healthcare corridor to tap medical tourism
Dubai-based digital healthcare firm Shopdoc reveals plans to invest $50 million to merge Kerala’s ancient healing traditions with the UAE’s cutting-edge healthcare facilities
Health insurance
UAE launches major health insurance package for private sector from $87 per year
UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation launches new insurance product for private sector employees and domestic workers
cancer
Drug delivery platform BioSapien raises $5.5mn funding from MENA VC Global Ventures-led investors
The fresh capital will fund BioSapien’s clinical trials in the UAE, with patient enrolments in Abu Dhabi set to begin in Q2 2025
CPhI Middle East & Africa
Saudi pharmaceutical exhibition witnesses $2.7bn of deals
CPHI Middle East witnesses $2.7bn of agreements for pharmaceutical sector in Saudi Arabia
Arada
UAE real estate developer Arada buys 3 gym brands; fitness division valued at $272m and eyes 100,000 members
Arada purchases three UAE-based gyms as it grows fitness division