Pharmaceuticals: Acino eyes local growth and export expansion from Dubai facility

Acino, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland which was acquired by the Abu Dhabi investment and holding company ADQ in 2022, is expanding its operations from its manufacturing facility in Dubai Science Park.

The company’s interim general manager Mansoor Meenai tells Gulf Business that the UAE’s pharmaceutical market is quite positive and experiencing growth, which has brought in significant investment, and a strong interest in local manufacturing. “The market is experiencing continuous growth, ample investment, and a strong interest in local manufacturing,” said Mansoor Meenai, interim GM for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Acino.

With roots in 19th century Basel, Switzerland, Acino is expanding its footprint in the 21st century in emerging markets, including the Middle East, with active plans for the GCC markets and beyond.

He highlighted the company’s commitment to producing high-quality products close to home, benefiting from the UAE’s robust economy.

Meenai emphasised Acino’s pioneering role as a local manufacturing site within a global organisation and its collaboration with other local manufacturers through the UAE’s local manufacturers’ body. “As a local manufacturing site that’s part of a global organisation, we have the advantage of being pioneers in this field.”

Moving from import-based supply chains to manufacturing

Historically, the UAE has been a net importer of medicines, with 2020 pharmaceutical imports totaling $8.2bn. However, UAE’s pharmaceutical exports were only $542m in 2022. Acino is addressing this imbalance by manufacturing a range of key products at its Dubai facility, including cardiovascular and digestive health products.

“We manufacture a range of products, including those inherited from the legacy of Pharmax,” Meenai stated. The company is also transferring the production of several large-volume products, such as gastrointestinal medications, from other Acino sites or third-party suppliers, and focusing on pain management.

Acion expands Dubai Science Park facility

The 1,300-square-metre manufacturing site in Dubai Science Park has ramped up production capacity to over 250 million tablets and 87 million capsules annually. Acino’s technology centres around product manufacturing and packaging, with equipment for capsulation, tableting, and quality control imported from reputable European suppliers. “Our technology centers around product manufacturing and packaging,” noted Meenai.

Acino is committed to sustainability, optimising energy use and minimizing consumption. The company has integrated sustainable practices into its manufacturing processes, such as using LPG, a cleaner fuel option.

“We strive to increase our contributions to sustainability,” Meenai said, adding that there is room for progress and a commitment to it. The company continuously reviews its capacity utilization and explores expansion opportunities to meet commercial demands and potential partnerships. “We review our capacity utilization all the time in line with what our commercial volumes are and with the deals that we are drawing up with potential partners,” he added.

Acino’s Dubai facility is not only manufacturing its own products but also those originated by other companies in its B2B business, highlighting opportunities for further expansion.

The company aims to build sustainable export channels to ensure continuous viability while navigating regulatory processes. “We need to make sure that we have this continuous sustainability in terms of volume increases in manufacturing that is critical to a site here,” Meenai emphasized.

By focusing on local manufacturing and sustainability, Acino Pharma is set to play a significant role in the UAE’s pharmaceutical industry, contributing to the country’s economic growth and healthcare sector development.