A strategic deal that positions the UAE at the forefront of regional biomanufacturing, the acquisition of DiabTec by KELIX Bio marks a significant milestone in the push to expand access to insulin analogues and other microbial-based therapies. The transaction underlines Mubadala’s commitment to addressing global healthcare challenges while strengthening the UAE’s role in the global life sciences ecosystem. The DiabTec facility’s advanced capabilities, built to meet stringent EU and US FDA standards, place it among the most capable biomanufacturing assets in the GCC, reinforcing the UAE’s strategic diversification into high-value pharmaceutical manufacturing and its broader mission to improve health outcomes through local production.
Acquisition Overview and Strategic Rationale
KELIX Bio, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, has completed the acquisition of DiabTec, a biomanufacturing facility formerly owned by Julphar, one of the UAE’s largest pharmaceutical groups. This transaction aligns with Mubadala’s broader investments in healthcare that target persistent global challenges, especially the treatment of diabetes, through the production of microbial-based therapies such as insulin analogues and GLP-1 products. The DiabTec facility features 20,000-litre drug substance reactors and a dedicated cartridge fill-finish line, designed to support end-to-end biomanufacturing for complex biologics and microbial-based therapies. The facility’s governance and quality framework are shaped to satisfy both European Union and United States Food and Drug Administration standards, making it a unique asset within the GCC region.
Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, who heads Mubadala’s UAE Investments Platform, highlighted the strategic importance of acquiring DiabTec. He described the deal as a milestone that strengthens the UAE’s standing in the global life sciences ecosystem. He framed the investment as part of Mubadala’s responsible investment approach, aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs—most notably the rising demand for insulin analogues. He emphasized that the acquisition expands Mubadala’s portfolio of biologicals and solidifies its role in biomanufacturing across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, while accelerating the UAE’s life sciences sector through increased local manufacturing capacity.
From the perspective of regional supply chains and global health security, the deal is positioned as a critical step in expanding the UAE’s capacity to produce essential therapies regionally. By bringing a sophisticated biomanufacturing asset under the Mubadala umbrella, the project aims to reduce dependence on external suppliers for insulin analogues and related therapies, while enabling more predictable access to these life-saving treatments for patients both within the UAE and in international markets where demand continues to grow. The facility’s alignment with internationally recognized standards is intended to reassure regulators, partners, and healthcare providers about its ability to deliver high-quality products at scale.
This acquisition is part of Mubadala’s broader strategy to enhance the UAE’s pharmaceutical capabilities and contribute to the diversification of the nation’s economy beyond traditional sectors. The deal also builds on Mubadala’s earlier move to acquire assets from GlobalOne Healthcare Holding, a step expected to further strengthen and expand the UAE’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities. In short, the DiabTec deal is a strategic pillar in Mubadala’s long-term plan to establish the UAE as a regional hub for advanced life sciences manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on therapies that address diabetes and metabolic diseases.
Facility Details and Compliance
DiabTec’s facility is equipped with large-scale, 20,000-litre drug substance reactors and a dedicated cartridge fill-finish unit designed for streamlined production of drug products. These capabilities enable end-to-end manufacturing workflows—from upstream bioprocessing to downstream formulation and packaging—supporting a broad portfolio of microbial-based therapeutics. The construction and operating standards of the facility were designed to meet the stringent requirements of major regulatory frameworks, including the European Union and the United States, which signals a high level of quality management, process control, and validation rigor. The facility’s build-out and operational readiness position it as a unique asset in the GCC, offering a production footprint capable of supporting regional needs for insulin analogues and related therapies.
The strategic value of DiabTec lies not only in its current capacity but also in its potential to scale and adapt to evolving product pipelines. By combining DiabTec’s physical assets with KELIX Bio’s research and development capabilities and Mubadala’s broader life sciences ecosystem, the acquisition creates opportunities to accelerate product development timelines, improve process efficiencies, and enhance supply reliability for essential therapies. As global demand for insulin analogues continues to grow and supply chain vulnerabilities persist, DiabTec’s location, regulatory alignment, and manufacturing capabilities position it as a key asset in meeting these challenges.
Meeting Global Demand for Insulin and Related Treatments
The acquisition is framed around addressing a growing global need for insulin analogues and accompanying diabetes therapies. The leadership of Mubadala notes that reliable access to therapeutic solutions like insulin analogues is increasingly critical in light of rising global demand and persistent supply challenges. The DiabTec investment is presented as a direct, tangible response to these supply considerations, reinforcing Mubadala’s commitment to improving global health outcomes by contributing to a more secure, sustainable insulin analogue supply chain.
DiabTec’s role in supplying essential diabetes therapies is envisioned within a broader context of global health, where the availability of insulin analogues remains a central concern for patients, clinicians, and health systems. The acquisition is designed to bolster regional manufacturing capacity and establish a more resilient supply base for insulin-related treatments, potentially reducing reliance on long and complex international logistics chains. By enabling local production of insulin analogues and related therapies, the UAE aims to offer more stable access to critical medicines for patients across various markets, while contributing to global health objectives aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes and metabolic diseases.
From an industry perspective, this move aligns with a trend toward near-shoring and regionalizing biopharmaceutical manufacturing to strengthen access and affordability of high-demand biologics. It also complements broader efforts within the region to develop end-to-end pharmaceutical ecosystems that can support a wider range of biologics, vaccines, and specialty drugs. In this sense, the DiabTec acquisition is not only a strategic asset for Mubadala and the UAE but also a signal of growing interest in creating more diversified, resilient biomanufacturing networks capable of responding to both routine and surge demand for diabetes therapies.
Leadership Commentary on Access and Health Outcomes
Ismail Ali Abdulla, executive director of UAE Clusters at Mubadala’s UAE Investments Platform, stressed the importance of ensuring reliable access to insulin analogues amid global demand dynamics and supply constraints. He framed the DiabTec acquisition as a direct response to these needs, reinforcing Mubadala’s commitment to strengthening the UAE’s life sciences sector and contributing to global health outcomes. Abdulla underscored that improving access to critical therapies aligns with Mubadala’s broader mission to foster a more secure and sustainable insulin analogue supply chain, benefiting patients who depend on these medications and supporting health systems that require dependable drug availability. The overarching message emphasizes resilience, strategic capability-building, and the shared goal of improving patient outcomes through robust manufacturing infrastructure.
Mubadala’s Life Sciences Strategy and UAE Diversification
The DiabTec deal sits within Mubadala’s longer-term strategy to advance the UAE’s life sciences capabilities and contribute to the nation’s economic diversification. Mubadala’s investment approach consistently seeks to leverage industry-leading assets, foster innovation, and build local capabilities that complement the UAE’s regulatory and business environment. The acquisition aligns with a broader vision to create a more integrated, knowledge-based economy that can attract global partnerships, stimulate domestic research and development, and deliver high-quality biologics to patients domestically and abroad.
A notable element of Mubadala’s strategy is its recent engagement with GlobalOne Healthcare Holding assets, which is anticipated to augment the UAE’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing landscape. By expanding the country’s footprint in biomanufacturing and API production, Mubadala aims to provide more end-to-end capabilities, reduce dependency on external suppliers, and support both domestic healthcare needs and international collaborations. The DiabTec acquisition complements these efforts by bringing a state-of-the-art facility with established compliance credentials into Mubadala’s portfolio, enabling accelerated scale-up and the potential for expanded product lines in the future.
Sheikh Saqer Bin Humaid Al Qasimi, chairman of Julphar’s Board, commented on the transaction as part of Julphar’s strategy to divest non-core assets. He noted that Julphar supports Mubadala’s initiative to strengthen the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector and to broaden API manufacturing capabilities within the country. This perspective reflects Julphar’s strategic realignment and the broader industry trend toward consolidating manufacturing capabilities under entities with the resources and expertise to maximize efficiency, regulatory compliance, and long-term growth through strategic partnerships.
Hocine Sidi Said, CEO of KELIX Bio, highlighted the broader implications of the DiabTec acquisition. He stressed Mubadala’s commitment to growth and to backing the UAE life sciences sector’s expansion, particularly at a time when the global number of diabetes patients continues to rise. Said pointed out that access to insulin analogues remains a challenge in many regions, emphasizing KELIX Bio’s objective to improve access to essential treatments. The aim is to ensure that patients in need can receive the care they require, reinforcing the role of KELIX Bio as a driver for responsible, patient-centered biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. This statement reinforces the company’s mission to support a broader agenda of health equity and sustainable drug availability.
Stakeholder Reactions and Industry Perspective
The DiabTec acquisition is framed as a multi-stakeholder achievement with implications for Mubadala’s growth strategy and the UAE’s positioning in the global life sciences arena. The agreements and commentary from key leaders reflect a shared belief that the deal will contribute to a more resilient life sciences ecosystem, support the scale-up of essential therapies, and reinforce the UAE’s role as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing. The interplay between public investment institutions, corporate leadership, and regulatory readiness is highlighted as a critical factor in achieving these outcomes, with a focus on long-term value creation for patients, healthcare systems, and economies alike.
From a regulatory and quality standpoint, the facility’s alignment with EU and US standards is designed to facilitate not only domestic production but also potential export opportunities to markets that require stringent quality and safety benchmarks. This positioning may help attract future partnerships, technology transfer arrangements, and research collaborations that leverage DiabTec’s manufacturing capabilities and KELIX Bio’s scientific and development strengths.
DiabTec, KELIX Bio, and the Path Forward
The DiabTec acquisition represents a strategic fortification of Mubadala’s life sciences capabilities, anchored by the operational strengths of the DiabTec site and the growth-oriented vision of KELIX Bio. The combination of robust upstream bioprocessing capabilities, a dedicated fill-finish unit, and rigorous compliance in line with EU and US standards creates a platform with significant potential for expansion across the UAE and the wider GCC region. The facility’s capacity, when integrated with KELIX Bio and Mubadala’s broader ecosystem, can enable accelerated development and scale-up of insulin analogues and related therapies, addressing a critical segment of the global diabetes market.
In addition to expanding the UAE’s manufacturing footprint, the deal reinforces the nation’s strategic aim to diversify its economy through advanced biopharmaceuticals. It demonstrates a commitment to building self-reliance in high-value therapeutic production while fostering innovation, workforce development, and regional leadership in life sciences. The collaboration between Mubadala, KELIX Bio, and Julphar, underpinned by regulatory-grade facilities and an emphasis on sustainable health outcomes, positions the UAE to play a more prominent role in the global supply chain for essential medicines.
Implications for the UAE and the GCC
The acquisition signals a broader trajectory for the GCC’s biopharmaceutical sector, with implications for regional healthcare delivery, regulatory maturation, and international partnerships. By consolidating capabilities within a single, high-standard facility, Mubadala aims to create a robust platform for continued investment in research and development, process optimization, and product diversification. The emphasis on locally produced insulin analogues and related therapies aligns with regional health priorities and support for chronic disease management, while contributing to a more secure and diversified energy of healthcare innovation within the GCC.
From a policy and economic diversification perspective, the DiabTec deal exemplifies how strategic public-private collaboration can accelerate the development of high-value industries. It demonstrates a path for other regional players to invest in state-of-the-art biopharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, cultivate a skilled workforce, and attract global partners seeking reliable manufacturing partners in a region that is increasingly recognized for its regulatory readiness and investment appetite.
Conclusion
The completion of the DiabTec acquisition by KELIX Bio, under Mubadala’s stewardship, marks a pivotal moment in the UAE’s journey to become a regional hub for advanced life sciences manufacturing. By integrating a cutting-edge biomanufacturing facility that meets stringent EU and US standards with Mubadala’s strategic vision and KELIX Bio’s development ambitions, the deal strengthens the UAE’s capacity to produce insulin analogues and other microbial-based therapies at scale. The move reinforces Mubadala’s commitment to responsible investing, healthcare transformation, and the diversification of the UAE economy through high-impact pharmaceutical manufacturing. As global demand for diabetes treatments grows, this acquisition positions the UAE to contribute meaningfully to a more secure, sustainable supply chain and to advance health outcomes for patients around the world. The strategic partnerships, regulatory alignment, and capacity expansion embedded in this deal are expected to catalyze further growth in the region’s life sciences sector, supporting continued innovation, job creation, and international collaboration.