Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem Hub71 has launched Hub71+ Life Sciences, a new specialist platform designed to accelerate innovation in biotechnology, medical technology, and digital health.
The initiative aims to position the UAE capital as a global launchpad for life sciences startups by connecting founders directly with regulators, hospitals, investors, and industry partners.
Announced at Hub71’s annual Impact Event on Tuesday, the launch aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader ambition to build a high-functioning life sciences economy anchored in research, biomanufacturing, and precision medicine.
Founders joining the ecosystem will gain access to the emirate’s integrated healthcare cluster — from early clinical validation to market entry — to help translate scientific advances into patient impact and commercial ventures.
“Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have helped shape Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71. “With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are channelling that experience into a dedicated environment where founders, researchers, market players, and investors can collaborate to advance healthcare innovation.”
Hub71+ Life Sciences launches in strategic alignment with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and HELM, the Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine cluster by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). These entities join as Founding Partners, alongside Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), and Ultrahuman as Anchor Partners.
In total, 12 partners will collaborate to accelerate the development and adoption of transformative healthcare solutions.
“As a Founding Partner, EDE will work side by side with innovators to engage early with regulators, clarify evidence expectations, and make use of collaborative pathways so safe, effective solutions reach patients faster,” said Dr Shaikha Al Mazrouei, Director of the Reference National Laboratory at EDE.
“Through Hub71+ Life Sciences, we aim to turn strong science into clear regulatory packages, accelerate approvals and support international recognition for products developed in the UAE.”
The new ecosystem builds on the success of life sciences startups already operating within Hub71, such as BioSapien, Ovasave and Biotwin, which are pioneering advances in oncology, fertility, and AI-driven medicine.
Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71, said Hub71+ Life Sciences was designed to unite policy, research, capital and corporate partnerships within a connected ecosystem that will “fast-track the journey from concept to validation, and from validation to market”.
Abu Dhabi’s integrated approach gives startups a unique advantage in bringing scientific breakthroughs to patients, according to AlDhaheri.
“Our mission in Abu Dhabi is to build a global destination for health innovation. And the timing couldn’t be any better,” she said.
From Concept to Commercialisation
Alongside the launch, Hub71 unveiled Initiate, a new programme supporting founders at the idea stage.
“Innovation isn’t about a cool pitch deck,” said Divya Nair, Startup Journey Lead at Hub71. “It begins with a real problem and someone willing and stubborn enough to solve it.”
Initiate aims to bridge the gap between concept and commercialisation by offering founders mentorship, access to venture builders, and early-stage technical support.
Hub71’s community now includes nearly 300 startups, which have collectively raised Dh9 billion and generated Dh5 billion in revenue.
Hub71+ Life Sciences joins the platform’s growing portfolio of specialist ecosystems, including Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech and Hub71+ AI, each designed to unlock innovation in key growth sectors.
