UAE’s Julphar appoints new CEO to drive growth strategy

UAE-based pharmaceutical manufacturer Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) has appointed Basel Ziyadeh as its new CEO, it announced on Tuesday.

The appointment comes as the company drives its growth strategy across the Middle East region and beyond.

Ziyadeh, holding over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, is poised to lead the company to provide health solutions regionally and globally.

Ziyadeh will succeed Dr Essam Mohamed as CEO, who stepped down from the role, having joined in 2020.

We are pleased to announce our newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Basel Ziyadeh, bringing a depth and breadth of experience across his 25-year career to our business.#Julphar pic.twitter.com/cVGPEPTB5y

— Julphar (@JulpharUAE) February 14, 2023

The company said that it has undergone “significant changes in recent years, streamlining its activities by divesting from its non-core activities and focusing on its Strategy 2030”.

The strategy aims to deliver sustainable growth around six core pillars. These include maximising revenue from its current product portfolio, new product launches, geographical expansion, strategic business initiatives, advanced specialty products initiatives, and inorganic growth initiatives.

Ziyadeh has held several leadership positions at Hikma Pharmaceuticals, serving across various functions and geographies over a decade and a half. He also served as an advisor and board member for several pharmaceutical entities across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Iraq and Lebanon.

Prior to being appointed chief executive of Julphar, Ziyadeh was the CEO of Tabuk Pharmaceuticals.

“I am privileged to join Julphar during this exciting period as the company accelerates its transformational growth journey to increase its scale, capabilities and further solidify its regional and global expertise,”  said Ziyadeh.

“I look forward to collaborating with a team of talented professionals as we reaffirm our commitment to providing a better quality of life for all.”

Ziyadeh holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Jordan and an MBA from American University of Beirut.

“With his wealth of experience in the industry working with top global and regional companies across the MENA region, Mr Basel is a seasoned leader with rich exposure to the field of pharmaceutical marketing and multi-site manufacturing and strategy development in the field of vaccines and biological medicines and business development and distribution,” added Sheikh Saqer Humaid Al Qasimi, chairman of the board at Julphar.

“Dr Essam will be departing Julphar for new professional endeavours, leaving behind a solid management team that will continue driving Julphar’s growth ambitions under the new leadership,” he added.

Established in 1980, Julphar employs more than 2,400 people and distributes pharmaceutical products to more than 50 countries across the globe. It has 12 manufacturing facilities in Ras Al Khaimah.

The company’s business is centered on two core units – Julphar diabetes solutions and general medicine division, which target therapeutic segments including gastrology, pain management, wound care, antibiotics and cardio-metabolism.

Also read: UAE’s Julphar reports 12.9% rise in net sales to Dhs415.7m in Q3 2022