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Abu Dhabi, UAEJune 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As global healthcare systems seek more resilient and efficient pathways for innovative drug delivery, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) has announced a partnership with global pharmaceutical leader Merck & Co., Inc. (based in New Jersey, USA, known as MSD) to explore the feasibility of establishing a logistics hub within the Abu Dhabi Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster.
Abu Dhabi Announces Partnership with MSD to Advance Operational Excellence and Expand Access across the Region
Once implementation is completed and relevant approvals are obtained, the MSD regional hub is expected to support the supply of a broad portfolio of products to multiple markets in the region. This hub will not only help enhance regional supply chain resilience but also improve patient access to innovative therapies, and build the necessary infrastructure to support the commercialization and scaling of next-generation medical innovations across the region.
Her Excellency Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “Scientific breakthroughs are emerging at an unprecedented pace, but their ability to improve people’s lives ultimately depends on how quickly and safely these breakthroughs can reach the patients who need them. Abu Dhabi has built a highly integrated model for smart life sciences, connecting cutting-edge research, population genomics, resilient infrastructure, and world-class distribution systems within a single interconnected ecosystem. MSD’s plan to establish a regional hub in Abu Dhabi reflects the advantages of this environment and underscores Abu Dhabi’s role as a trusted partner for global healthcare leaders. For patients across the region, this milestone makes life-saving therapies more accessible. For the world, it reaffirms that Abu Dhabi is ready to drive the scaling of medical innovation and expand its impact globally.”
This partnership reflects the alignment and convergence between Abu Dhabi’s supportive regulatory environment and the strategic need of global partners to eliminate supply chain vulnerabilities. Through this collaboration, MSD gains direct access to a highly interconnected, advanced distribution ecosystem, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a secure regional launchpad for next-generation healthcare solutions.
Ashraf Mallak, Managing Director of MSD for the Gulf States, Libya, and Egypt, said: “This proposed collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in the region. By combining MSD’s global expertise with Abu Dhabi’s advanced ecosystem, we aim to enhance healthcare resilience and accelerate patient access to innovative therapies.”
This announcement is part of Abu Dhabi’s presentations at the 2026 BIO International Convention, where the emirate also showcased its smart life sciences ecosystem and collaborative initiatives in genomics, gene editing, AI-driven healthcare innovation, advanced therapies, and rare diseases.