Abu dhabi: LIFE Pharma, a part of VPS Health, has announced during its participation in the fifth edition of the 'Make it in the Emirates 2026' exhibition, the establishment of a dedicated spin-off biotech focused on end-to-end development of cell and gene therapies, with an investment exceeding AED100 million: The announcement was made by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of VPS Health, at Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) 2026.

According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil emphasized the UAE's ambition to become a global hub for advanced industries, with healthcare manufacturing being central to that vision. He stated that the initiative aims to build sovereign capability in advanced medicine, contributing to the UAE's goal of becoming a creator of medical innovation rather than just a recipient.

The initiative will benefit from the UAE-India healthcare corridor, aiming to democratize gene therapy by providing accessible cures to regions with high unmet need and disease burden. The collaboration leverages the UAE's regulatory ecosystem and strategic backing, combined with India's large patient base, to accelerate gene therapy development.

The initiative will employ a strategic manufacturing model for cost-efficient, scalable vector and cell processing, from clinical trials to commercial products. It aims to bridge existing gaps by leveraging established technologies through global partnerships with academia and industry, with a targeted go-to-market timeline of three to five years.