Two new prescription biologics—adalimumab and ustekinumab—are now available in the UAE, after Mubadala Bio launched them through its BioVenture Healthcare facility. The company is betting on local production to give patients with immune-mediated diseases better access to advanced therapies that were often imported or hard to get.
Doctors in the UAE can now prescribe adalimumab and ustekinumab for a range of inflammatory conditions. Adalimumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets tumour necrosis factor (TNF), is approved for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, and non-infectious uveitis. Ustekinumab blocks interleukins 12 and 23 and is used for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Both drugs require a prescription and must be given under the care of licensed healthcare professionals. Patients are advised to talk to their doctors for guidance.
Mubadala Bio was established in 2025 as a national platform to advance local pharmaceutical manufacturing and logistics in the UAE.
Biologic manufacturing and national resilience
Mubadala Bio’s launch goes beyond adding new products. The company wants to make sure essential biologic drugs are made in the UAE, cutting down on imports and building a more sustainable pharmaceutical sector. Dr Esam Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer, said that bringing adalimumab and ustekinumab into the company’s lineup is about giving more patients access to specialized care and giving doctors better tools to treat complex diseases.
Deputy CEO Hamad Al Marzouqi pointed out that making these advanced treatments locally not only puts more medicines within reach but also helps the UAE stand out as a global player in pharmaceutical manufacturing. This push for self-sufficiency in healthcare lines up with a wider regional trend, as seen in recent gene-editing therapy breakthroughs abroad.
The introduction of adalimumab and ustekinumab is part of a broader strategy to localize medicines and enhance supply chain resilience in the UAE, reducing dependence on imports and supporting national healthcare sustainability.
What this means for patients and the industry
For patients, these launches mean quicker and more reliable access to advanced biologic drugs that used to be harder to get or more expensive due to imports. For the UAE’s pharmaceutical industry, Mubadala Bio is setting a new standard by making complex biologics locally—a field long dominated by global giants. The company is showing that homegrown firms can drive both innovation and resilience in healthcare.
By producing these advanced biologics in the UAE, Mubadala Bio is opening up more treatment options for people with immune disorders and helping build a stronger, more independent pharmaceutical sector. The move signals the UAE’s intent to compete at the top level of biomanufacturing, with direct benefits for patients and the national healthcare system.
An official report from Emirates News Agency confirms that both drugs are available only by prescription and require oversight from licensed medical professionals, reinforcing the focus on patient safety and clinical standards.
