Eli Lilly and Mubadala Bio have signed a formal agreement to develop local pharmaceutical packaging and logistics capabilities for Lilly’s GLP-1 medicines in Abu Dhabi, with the collaboration anchored by a dedicated 125,000 sqm site at Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).
A New Chapter for Abu Dhabi Pharmaceutical Capabilities
The agreement was announced at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 and is designed to strengthen the emirate’s pharmaceutical capabilities while advancing its ambition to become an internationally recognised life sciences hub. GLP-1 medicines are used in the treatment of conditions including obesity and diabetes.
The Eli Lilly Mubadala Bio partnership brings together Eli Lilly’s expertise in developing and supplying medicines with Mubadala Bio’s established capabilities in pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. The collaboration is expected to deepen Abu Dhabi’s connections with global pharmaceutical supply chains while introducing advanced local operations in a structured, phased manner.
The announcement was made jointly by Hamad Almarzooqi, Group Deputy CEO of Mubadala Bio, and Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental Hub at Eli Lilly and Company. No financial value was disclosed, nor was a specific commencement date indicated for the localised activities, which will proceed subject to technical, quality, and regulatory requirements.
The KEZAD Site and Its Role in the Partnership
The collaboration will be supported by a 125,000 sqm facility within KEZAD, comprising dedicated packaging and warehousing infrastructure. The site is intended to enhance Mubadala Bio’s pharmaceutical contract manufacturing and logistics capabilities, enabling it to better serve international industry partners from the UAE.
It is important to note that the agreement is focused specifically on localised packaging and logistics for Lilly’s GLP-1 medicines. The announcement does not confirm that manufacturing of the medicines themselves will take place in Abu Dhabi.
UAE’s Growing Access to GLP-1 Medicines
The announcement comes against the backdrop of notable recent developments in GLP-1 medicine availability across the UAE. On 3 April 2026, the Emirates Drug Establishment granted approval to Foundayo (orforglipron) for chronic weight management, positioning the UAE as the second country in the world to register the medicine. In Abu Dhabi, the treatment became available to eligible patients through the Personalized Weight Management Program, launched jointly by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in June 2025.
The UAE was also among the earliest global markets to receive Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in August 2022, following approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. The announcement references both Foundayo and Mounjaro as examples of the UAE’s ability to access innovative medicines. However, it does not specify which individual Lilly products will be packaged under the terms of the new agreement.
Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of Mubadala Bio, described the significance of the collaboration, stating: “The agreement with Lilly is a defining moment for Mubadala Bio.” He noted that the partnership would strengthen the UAE’s pharmaceutical supply capabilities and support the continued development of the country’s life sciences sector.
Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental Hub at Eli Lilly and Company, said: “This agreement represents an important step in strengthening our long-term presence in the UAE and contributing to the continued development of its life sciences ecosystem.”
Mubadala Bio’s Broader Expansion Agenda
Mubadala Bio continues to pursue an expanded international presence through strategic pharmaceutical partnerships, contract manufacturing arrangements, and enhanced logistics capabilities. This agreement fits within Abu Dhabi’s broader institutional efforts to grow its life sciences industry and reinforce the UAE’s role within global pharmaceutical supply chains.
The Abu Dhabi pharmaceutical sector continues to attract partnerships of this scale as the emirate positions itself as a serious player in international life sciences, with the KEZAD site set to serve as a key operational anchor for the Eli Lilly Mubadala Bio collaboration going forward.
