Life-sciences M&A (mergers and acquisitions) across the Middle East is expected to accelerate as Gulf governments ramp up investment in biotech manufacturing, advanced therapies and HealthTech, according to a new report by Grand View Research (GVR). 

The study forecasts the region’s HealthTech market will climb to Dh44 billion by 2033, supported by a growing shift toward biologics, localisation and technology-transfer programmes.

The findings come as the UAE and Saudi Arabia intensify efforts to build sovereign capabilities in drug development and production under the UAE Life Sciences Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030. 

Analysts say the push is driving consolidation and new deal-making ahead of the World Health Expo (WHX) 2026, formerly Arab Health, set to take place in Dubai next year.

Dubai seen as centre of consolidation

The report positions Dubai as a key coordination hub for regional life sciences expansion due to its regulatory neutrality, logistics infrastructure, and free-zone incentives.

“Dubai and the broader GCC now sit at the crossroads of science, capital and policy,” said Swayam Dash, Managing Director at GVR. 

“That convergence is catalysing a wave of acquisitions and joint ventures. Localisation is no longer just a cost play – it’s now fundamental to building an ecosystem for advanced therapies.”

CDMO and bioprocessing markets to nearly double

GVR estimates the Middle East healthcare CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation) market at $6.27 billion (Dh23 billion) in 2024, nearly doubling to $11.91 billion (Dh43.7 billion) by 2033 at a 7.5% CAGR.

The region’s bioprocessing market is also projected to more than double from $1.16 billion (Dh4.26 billion) to $2.44 billion (Dh9 billion) over the same period.

The trend is reshaping investor priorities. Small molecules continue to hold the largest CDMO revenue share at around 36%, but biologics, biosimilars and cell-based therapies are increasingly driving strategic focus.

Localisation drive fuels deal activity

Dash said governments are rapidly advancing localisation strategies across biologics, biosimilars and cell therapy inputs. “Global players want access to the region’s growth, and governments want capability quickly. The outcome is a strong M&A pipeline in CDMO, bioprocessing and cell therapy inputs.”

GVR notes that outsourcing is expanding as drugmakers pursue lower production costs, faster time-to-market and improved supply-chain resilience.

A smaller but fast-growing segment, cell therapy raw materials, is forecast to expand almost fourfold, from $39.2 million (Dh144 million) in 2024 to $169.8 million (Dh623.5 million) by 2033, one of the highest CAGRs globally at 17.8%.

HealthTech, AI and diagnostics draw investor interest

Dubai’s expanding biotech accelerators and digital-health pilots are also contributing to rising interest in acquisitions, especially in AI-enabled diagnostics, remote monitoring and precision-medicine platforms. These segments are expected to feature prominently in deal announcements at WHX 2026.

Regulatory delays remain a risk

The report warns that regulatory fragmentation and limited specialised talent could slow some large cross-border deals despite the region’s strong growth trajectory.

The pharmaceutical CDMO segment, for example, is expected to grow from $3.50 billion (Dh12.85 billion) to $5.39 billion (Dh19.79 billion) by 2033, reflecting a more moderate 4.9% CAGR in mature areas of the market.

Still, Dash said the strategic direction is clear: “The Middle East doesn’t just want access to advanced therapies, it wants to produce them. Consolidation and capability acquisition will be central to that aim.”

WHX 2026 poised as deal-making platform

With global biopharma and CDMO companies preparing to expand in the Gulf, WHX 2026 is expected to serve as a major platform for investment announcements, joint ventures and new manufacturing partnerships. Analysts expect the next 24 months to be critical for companies positioning themselves within a developing Gulf-based life-sciences hub.

Dubai is gearing up for one of its most ambitious retail projects yet, and it’s absolutely massive. Emaar’s upcoming Dubai Square Mall at Dubai Creek Harbour is set to be three times the size of Downtown Dubai, cementing its place as one of the region’s biggest shopping and entertainment giants. 

Backed by a Dh180 billion investment, the project is expected to open in three years and is already being called a game-changer for Dubai’s retail future.

Emaar announced the Dubai Square project earlier this year, positioning it as a next-generation destination where residential, retail, dining, entertainment and lifestyle experiences all come together under one address. At the heart of it is the Dubai Square Mall, a tech-forward, eco-friendly retail hub designed to feel more like a futuristic city than a conventional shopping centre.

A mall designed for the future

Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar revealed that the mall will go big on sustainability and technology. With Dubai’s EV ownership rapidly rising, the new mall will feature dedicated electric vehicle facilities, ensuring a smooth, modern and planet-friendly experience for visitors.

One of the mall’s standout features?
It will operate as a drive-through mall, aligning with Dubai’s push for smart, green and ultra-convenient infrastructure.

Future tech

Dubai Square Mall will use Artificial Intelligence to enhance the shopping journey, from personalised recommendations to seamless navigation and smarter retail services. Think of it as a mall that gets to know what you like before you even walk in. The mall will also integrate dedicated EV facilities and smart-drive design features.

Immersive design, inside and out

The mall’s architecture leans heavily into light, openness and immersive visuals. Expect:

• Striking skylights
• High-tech LED installations
• Glazed roofing and expansive glass windows
• Vast landscapes and greenery woven throughout

The result? A bright, airy, modern space that blends indoor and outdoor vibes, very much in line with Dubai’s evolving design language.

Emaar is already the name behind Dubai’s most iconic retail destinations, and Dubai Square Mall is set to add a whole new chapter to that lineup, bigger, smarter and more forward-thinking than anything the developer has done before.

Abu Dhabi strengthened its position as a global hub for regulatory dialogue this week, as more than 50 countries convened for the 2nd International Forum of Pharmaceutical Inspectorates (IFPI), held on November 24–25 at the Marriott Hotel Downtown.

The high-level gathering brought together worldwide regulatory authorities, industry leaders, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) experts to advance international alignment on pharmaceutical quality standards and patient safety.

Global supply chains demand shared standards

With medicines increasingly developed, manufactured, packaged and prescribed across multiple countries, speakers emphasised the need for deeper regulatory cooperation to ensure consistent safety and quality.

“Cooperation between regulatory authorities increases the availability of high-quality, safe, and effective medicines while improving transparency,” said Vladislav Shestakov, Co-Chair of the Organising Committee and Director of the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices. He underscored that “quality begins with the mindset of its creators.”

For the second year, the Russian Federation co-chaired the Forum, with participation from the UAE, France, India, Singapore, the US, the UK, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Jordan, Italy, Belgium, and representatives from African states under the AMRH initiative.

Focus: harmonisation, inspection trust, and access to modern medicines

This year’s programme examined the most pressing challenges facing global regulators, including:

• Harmonisation of pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements
• Expanding access to modern medicines across different healthcare systems
• Regulatory reliability, trust, and mutual recognition of GMP inspections
• Inspection frameworks for biological medicinal products
• Improved data-sharing and transparency among global inspectorates

Delegates also covered industry shifts driven by gene therapies, advanced biologics, and AI-enabled manufacturing.

“A new regulatory architecture is emerging”

Dmitry Galkin, Director of the Department for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry at Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Head of the Russian GMP Inspectorate, highlighted the rapid evolution of the regulatory landscape.

“A new architecture of global pharmaceutical regulation is taking shape, where mutual recognition of inspections, data exchange, and comparable quality standards become key elements,” he said.

Hands-on workshops strengthen technical competencies

Beyond high-level panels, inspectors and technical experts participated in workshops and case-based sessions designed to enhance GMP inspection skills, strengthen regulatory capacity, and foster practical problem-solving.

The event reaffirmed Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a neutral platform for global regulatory collaboration, reinforcing shared ambitions to modernise oversight models and ensure safe access to medicines worldwide.

International regulators call for deeper cooperation

Several leaders used the Forum to stress the importance of cross-border collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Taruna Ikrar, Head of the Indonesian FDA (BPOM), said the IFPI provides “a platform that strengthens regulatory systems and elevates the quality, consistency, and integrity of GMP inspections worldwide,” adding that ASEAN remains committed to harmonised standards and science-based inspections.

Looking ahead

As the Forum concluded, delegates pointed to one recurring takeaway: progress in the pharmaceutical sector depends on people, inspectors, regulators, scientists, and innovators working collectively toward a safer global medicine ecosystem.

Organisers confirmed that plans are already underway for an expanded next edition of the IFPI.