Mubadala Bio and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company have announced a strategic collaboration to develop advanced pharmaceutical capabilities in Abu Dhabi. The partnership will localize the packaging and logistics of Lilly's GLP-1 treatments in KEZAD, building on the US company’s growing pharmaceutical presence in the UAE. The UAE was the second country in the world to register Lilly's Foundayo for chronic weight management, and an early launch market for Mounjaro following US FDA approval in 2022.

Why This Matters

The UAE's best-in-class regulatory standards and quality assurances make it a leading destination for American pharmaceutical innovators, with US companies increasingly looking to Abu Dhabi as a partner in global packaging and distribution. Abu Dhabi's ecosystem already hosts partnerships with Pfizer, Abbott Laboratories and Merck. Mubadala Bio's agreement with Lilly continues that momentum, converting medical collaboration into lasting commercial opportunities for US companies.

“By bringing Lilly’s global medicines expertise together with Mubadala Bio’s capabilities, we have the opportunity to develop advanced pharmaceutical capabilities in the UAE, while continuing to support our shared ambition to improve health outcomes for patients.” — Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental Hub, Eli Lilly and Company

Full Press Release: Mubadala Bio and Lilly announce landmark agreement to advance pharmaceutical contract manufacturing in Abu Dhabi

Mubadala Bio and Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) have announced a strategic collaboration to advance the localised packaging and logistics of Lilly’s GLP-1 medicines in Abu Dhabi, marking an important step in a shared commitment to advance the emirate’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

The partnership was announced at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit (ADFHS) 2026 by Hamad Almarzooqi, Group Deputy CEO of Mubadala Bio, and Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental Hub, Eli Lilly and Company. The signing was witnessed by Her Excellency Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of Mubadala Bio, and Tayllit Aherdan, Vice President and General Manager, Lilly Gulf (UAE, Kuwait and Qatar).

The collaboration brings together Lilly’s global expertise in discovering, developing, and delivering innovative medicines with Mubadala Bio’s integrated life sciences platform and growing international footprint. Together, the companies aim to build advanced pharmaceutical capabilities in Abu Dhabi, combining international investment and expertise to enhance Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem and deepen its connections across the global value chain.

This partnership will be supported from a 125,000sqm site in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, comprising packaging and warehousing facilities that further strengthen the company's pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, packaging, and logistics capabilities and its ability to serve global industry partners from the UAE.

The announcement builds on the UAE’s leadership in advancing access to innovative medicines and strengthening personalised healthcare. The Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) approved Foundayo (orforglipron) for chronic weight management in April, making the UAE the second country in the world to register the medicine. In Abu Dhabi, the treatment was introduced for eligible patients under the Personalized Weight Management Program, launched by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) in June 2025. Similarly, the UAE was an early launch market for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in August 2022 following US FDA approval.

For Mubadala Bio, the collaboration builds on its growing position as an Abu Dhabi-headquartered life sciences company with an expanding international footprint. Through investments, partnerships, and integrated capabilities across biopharma and pharmaceutical logistics, Mubadala Bio is working to advance drug security, expand contract manufacturing capabilities, and position Abu Dhabi as global hub for life sciences serving global markets.

Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of Mubadala Bio, said: “The agreement with Lilly is a defining moment for Mubadala Bio. By signing this agreement, we are placing the UAE at the forefront of global healthcare, strengthening the nation's supply in key therapeutic areas and building capabilities that will serve our country for decades to come. It shows the confidence that one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies has in the UAE as a trusted partner and a base to serve the region and global markets. This is what it means to build a national life sciences champion: bringing world-class medicines closer to home, creating high-value jobs, and advancing Abu Dhabi's ambition to become a leading global life sciences hub.”

Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental Hub at Eli Lilly and Company, said: “This agreement represents an important step in strengthening our long-term presence in the UAE and contributing to the continued development of its life sciences ecosystem. By bringing Lilly’s global medicines expertise together with Mubadala Bio’s capabilities, we have the opportunity to develop advanced pharmaceutical capabilities in the UAE, while continuing to support our shared ambition to improve health outcomes for patients.”

Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President and President, Lilly International, Eli Lilly and Company, said: “Scientific innovation has the greatest impact when it is supported by strong collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem. At Lilly, we work across markets with governments, healthcare systems and organisations that bring complementary expertise and capabilities, with a shared focus on translating innovation into meaningful progress for patients. Building these long-term relationships is fundamental to how we advance healthcare and create sustainable impact around the world.”

Edgardo Hernandez, Executive Vice President and President, Lilly Manufacturing Operations, said: “To make safe and reliable medicines around the world. Lilly counts on strong partners like Mubadala Bio that are willing to share our commitment to innovation, safety and quality. The Mubadala Bio team shares our urgency to meeting patient demand and our responsibility to deliver high-quality medicines to the people who depend on them.”

Hamad Almarzooqi, Group Deputy CEO at Mubadala Bio, said: “Our ambition is to build a globally connected life sciences company from Abu Dhabi — one that partners with leading multinational pharmaceutical companies to bring innovative medicine, technologies and expertise to the UAE. By strictly applying best-in-class international quality, manufacturing and regulatory standards across our operations, we are strengthening the foundations of an internationally competitive pharmaceutical sector and advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a leading global life sciences hub.”

As part of the collaboration, localised packaging and logistics activities will be introduced in phases and will be subject to all appropriate technical, quality, and regulatory requirements.