Pharmax Pharmaceuticals, a UAE-based international pharmaceutical company, has begun production out of its state-of-the-art facility located in Dubai Science Park. The AED125 million custom-built factory is the first advanced manufacturing facility to be opened in Dubai Science Park and is equipped with the latest European technology, meeting stringent global regulatory standards. The factory has a current annual capacity of over 200 million tablet and capsule dosage forms, which will increase in the next three to five years to over 800 million.

The facility received its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) license in March 2018 and provides branded generic medications, which are affordable equivalents to brand-name drugs and have the same intended use, effects and route of administration. The company will prioritise supergenerics, which offer improved drug-delivery mechanisms, such as sustained release, modified release and orodispersible tablets.

Pharmax will produce medications targeting chronic conditions common in the Middle East and other developed markets, including cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric and neurological disorders, gastro-enterological diseases, metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes, central nervous system diseases, bacterial and viral infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, asthma and allergies, bone and joint inflammation disorders and urological diseases.

Already employing over 40 staff, plans are for Pharmax to add more than 15 positions in the coming months. With a focus on employing highly-qualified technical staff, Pharmax Pharmaceuticals is primed to attract and retain talented professionals from the global marketplace.

Construction of the facility began in September 2015 as a joint venture between Al Ittihad Drug Store LLC, a leading distributor of medicines in the UAE, and two of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in Morocco – Cooper Pharma and Bottu Pharmaceuticals.

Madhukar Tanna, CEO of Pharmax, with over 30 years of international pharmaceutical experience said: “Now is the perfect time for Pharmax Pharmaceuticals to launch in the region. Dubai’s vision highlights pharmaceutical  manufacturing as a key development sector and the UAE needs more high-quality generic medications. We have received very positive support from the Ministry of Health and Prevention and local health authorities for our work here at Pharmax.”

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director of Dubai Science Park and Chairing Member of the Pharma ceuticals and Medical Equipment Taskforce of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, said, “For Pharmax to begin its production at Dubai Science Park marks a significant milestone. It will be the first of our business partners that is setting up manufacturing capabilities in line with the objectives of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, which seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on imports of pharmaceutical products.”

Of the future plans of Pharmax, Mr Tanna added: “Expansion is definitely planned for Pharmax Pharmaceuticals. We also own a similar sized plot right next to our flagship facility with this in mind. Beyond the Middle East, our medications will soon be made available in Europe, Asia and Australia. We believe patients all over the world deserve access to affordable, equivalent medications and we will be exporting our products into the majority of regulated markets.”