Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park choses RTI International to develop scientific and regulatory standards that will be used to advance biotechnology research and development across the Middle East
The Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the first park of its kind in the Middle East, is designed to be the centre of excellence in biotechnology that will link government, academia and industry through national and international collaboration to develop new technologies and products to address regional health and environmental issues.
"We're excited to be helping an organisation like DuBiotech set the stage for world-class research and development," said Adam Saffer, executive vice president of strategic planning at RTI.
"As the founding tenant of the Research Triangle Park, we're looking forward to the opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise to help establish DuBiotech as one of the leading research and development zones in the Middle East".
Under the one-year contract, RTI will define the appropriate laboratory and operational standards required to meet the unique characteristics of Dubai and DuBiotech.
RTI will work with DuBiotech to establish operational criteria and practices for the life science regulatory sectors that meet internationally recognised standards and best practices.
The framework will be benchmarked against those used for research parks worldwide, including in the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Japan and the United States.
"DuBiotech's intent is to be recognised as a world class biotechnology research and technology park," said Terry Pierson, vice president of environmental sciences at RTI.
"We will be working with DuBiotech to establish a regulatory framework for health and safety, environmental management and laboratory operations, based on internationally accepted standards and practices".
The legal and regulatory framework will address general park regulations, health and safety issues, laboratory accreditation, environmental/waste management, bioethics, clinical trials, clinical and nonclinical research, as well as intellectual property concerns.
RTI also will ensure that the recommended legal and regulatory framework complies with both United Arab Emirates and Islamic laws and customs.
The Park will be located in the new economic development centre that includes prestigious projects like Dubailand and Dubai Outsource Zone.
DuBiotech plans for companies to begin moving operations into the park by the end of 2006.
Announced in February 2005, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) is a science and business park dedicated to the biotech industry, set within a free zone infrastructure.
DuBiotech has two main areas of interest.
The first is the Foundation for Research and Innovation (FRI) which will be the main arm focusing on government-funded R+D.
The FRI will initially focus on medical research and genetics, plant biotechnology encompassing food and agricultural biotech, environmental biotech and equine-related biotechnology.
Other areas include drug discovery, stem cell research, infectious diseases and forensic research.
The second arm of DuBiotech aims to set up a biotechnology industry cluster with the appropriate infrastructure, facilities and service for incubators, R+D labs, biotech-related educational institutions, suppliers, biotech-related manufacturing companies and organisations from other sectors in the industry.
DuBiotech is advised by an independent steering committee on scientific, business and ethical matters.
