Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, Hub71, has launched Hub71+ Life Sciences, a new specialist platform designed to speed up health innovation across biotechnology, medical technology, and digital health. The new ecosystem aims to position Abu Dhabi as a major international hub for life sciences innovation by connecting startups directly with investors, regulators, hospitals, and research partners. This initiative marks a major step forward in advancing healthcare development within the UAE and across the wider MENA region.
The official announcement was made at Hub71’s annual Impact Event, which brought together key figures from the technology and healthcare sectors. Hub71+ Life Sciences will offer startups and founders access to Abu Dhabi’s medical innovation network, enabling them to move from research and clinical validation to real-world market success. By integrating innovation with healthcare delivery, the ecosystem will help transform groundbreaking ideas into practical healthcare solutions that benefit patients and communities.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, expressed confidence in the new initiative’s potential. He stated, “Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have shaped Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape. With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are creating a space where founders, researchers, and investors can work together to drive healthcare innovation.” He added that the initiative would strengthen Abu Dhabi’s role in global healthcare development by focusing on HealthTech, BioTech, and life sciences breakthroughs.
The launch of Hub71+ Life Sciences is aligned with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and the HELM cluster (Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine). These institutions are working together to build a high-performing life sciences economy anchored in Abu Dhabi. Their collaboration ensures that the new ecosystem benefits from strong regulatory support, access to clinical research, and a focus on sustainable healthcare innovation.
The introduction of Hub71+ Life Sciences comes at a time when the MENA healthcare services market is projected to reach $412 billion by 2032, showing rapid growth and investment in medical technology and health innovation. Abu Dhabi aims to take advantage of this momentum by providing the resources, partnerships, and policies needed to attract global startups and researchers in the life sciences field.
The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Emirates Drug Establishment, and HELM cluster by ADIO have been named as Founding Partners of the initiative. These organizations share a commitment to promoting precision medicine, advanced biomanufacturing, and data-driven healthcare. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Ultrahuman have joined as Anchor Partners, bringing deep expertise in medical practice and wellness innovation. A total of twelve partners will work with startups to explore investment opportunities and develop market-ready healthcare technologies.
The Hub71+ Life Sciences platform encourages collaboration between regulators, corporations, investors, and entrepreneurs. It offers startups access to funding, clinical trials, and proof-of-concept testing, enabling them to refine their solutions and bring them to market faster. The initiative also promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge and the creation of partnerships that enhance Abu Dhabi’s research capacity and its position as a leading life sciences center.
Hub71’s broader community now includes nearly 300 startups, which have collectively raised AED 9 billion and generated AED 5 billion in revenue. These figures demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the MENA region. The launch of Hub71+ Life Sciences adds to other specialized programs such as Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ AI, each targeting critical sectors for the UAE’s economic and technological progress.
Through Hub71+ Life Sciences, Abu Dhabi aims to accelerate the translation of research into tangible healthcare outcomes, create new job opportunities, and strengthen its international reputation as a center of medical excellence. By combining technology, research, and investment, the UAE capital is setting a new standard for innovation in life sciences and positioning itself as a global launchpad for the future of health.
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