Committee, featuring eminent biotech experts, to guide DuBiotechon strategic issues
The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) has announced a steering committee comprised of eminent biotechnology experts that will offer strategic guidance to the new initiative.
The steering committee will advise the DuBiotechmanagement on initiatives to support and foster the growth of the biotechnology industry in the region and enable DuBiotechto respond to new challenges and opportunities in the sector.
The committee currently has eight members:
- Dr. Mahmoud Taleb Ahmed Al Ali, Head of the Genetics Centre, the Department of Health and Medical Sciences.
- Dr. Khaled Amiri, Assistant Professor, Molecular Genetics, UAE University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Al-Ain.
- Prof. Yousef Mohamed Abdulrazzaq Bastaki, Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain.
- Dr. Tahir Aziz Rizvi, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University.
- Dr. Michael Hauser, Director, Dubai Equine Hospital
- Dr Mansour Al-Zarouni, Specialist Microbiologist, Director of Laboratories, Sharjah Medical District, MOH.
- Prof. Riad Abdel Latif Bayoumi, Biochemistry Department College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
- Dr. Hans Meijer, Researcher
- Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al-Marzouqi, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE.
- Dr. Martin Berlin, Chief Strategy Officer, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA).
Specifically, the committee will look at ways to boost the biotechnology industry through technology transfer and
support for new ideas and discoveries. It will recommend ways of enhancing biotech research and developing DuBiotechinto an attractive location for “life sciences” companies.
The committee will determine how DuBiotechcan attract and affiliate with universities, research and development (R&D) institutions, industry parks, industry bodies, and other major organizations. It will also examine how the
initiative could generate new investment and jobs in the country.
Ahmad Bin Byat, Director General of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone commented on the importance of the steering committee: "As DuBiotechlooks to develop a cluster of biotechnology companies and develop a research and development base for the growth of the industry, the steering committee will play a key role in guiding the evolution of the initiative,” he added.
“The Committee’s members bring a wealth of expertise to the DuBiotechinitiative,” said Dr. Abdulqader Al Khayat, Executive Director of DuBiotech. “We look forward to working closely with the committee to further develop our value proposition and our offerings for the biotechnology industry,” he added.
Announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister on February 1, 2005, DuBiotechseeks to create a comprehensive infrastructure and environment to grow biotechnology in the region. The new park will be built in several phases on a 300 hectare area located in the new economic development area that includes prestigious projects like Dubailand and Dubai Outsource Zone.
Upon completion, park development will cover over 30 million square feet of built-up area. Its infrastructure offering will comprise of custom-made research and development (R&D) facilities - such as labs, clean rooms and incubators, office space and residential facilities. The first development of DuBiotechwill be ready by early 2006.
Source :
www.dubiotech.com 
