LIFEPharma launches GCC's first oncology formulation plant

The state-of-the-art facility will enhance the UAE’s profile as a growing pharmaceutical hub in the region

Dubai, UAE, May 26, 2016:    LIFEPharma, one of the region’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company is set to strengthen the UAE’s profile as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. The company recently announced the launch of its first oncology formulation plant in the GCC region. The company’s new state-of-the art plant will be part of four facilities the company is setting up in the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD). LIFEPharma already has a large manufacturing facility in Jebel Al Free Zone in Dubai which caters to both local and overseas markets.

The manufacturing facility, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the first quarter next year, is the first oncology-based unit of its kind in the UAE and GCC. This plant will produce a range of medication for the treatment of cancer such as tablets, capsules, liquid and lyophilized injections and pre-filled syringe production lines for global consumption, with the approval of international agencies such as UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (UKNHRA) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). 

Commenting on the launch of the oncology formulation plant, Mr Dev Kumar Singh, President LIFEPharma FZE, said: “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer figures among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The international body has also predicted that annual cancer cases will rise from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million within the next two decades. These figures can see a drastic reduction with the right treatment. LIFEPharma has, therefore, decided to focus on this area and augment the global production of oncology drugs, thus ensuring that people all over the world have access to life-saving medication. 

“This is the first manufacturing unit of its kind in the region and will help showcase the UAE’s growing profile as a leading pharmaceutical and medical hub. We are also setting up a research and development (R&D) centre for developing new products in the pharmaceutical segment. As there are no such R&D centers in the UAE, this will further boost the country’s pharmaceutical sector.”

“We are also the first pharmaceutical company from the UAE to file for ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) in the US. This step will help get USFDA approval for the Jebel Ali Facility and  once the oncology plant in KIZAD is ready will file the ANDA from there also, which will open the US market for our oncology products. The company has already signed commercial contracts with three partners in the US. We also work with companies such as Acino, Abbott Pharma, Apotex, Strides, Arrow, Chemo, Slate Run Pharma, Leading Pharma, Waymade and Helm in various markets in addition to more than 60 other partners in different countries across the world,”  he added.

"LIFEPharma was established with the sole intention of research & development, manufacturing and registering pharmaceutical products to the highest standards the industry demands. A wide range of sophisticated healthcare products, will be offered for marketing across the world making LIFEPharma a truly Global supplier of high quality pharmaceutical dosage forms,” said Dr. Shamsheer Vayali, Managing Director VPS Healthcare.

“To be a Global leader in this field of expertise, LIFEPharma is continuously investing in the finest facilities, machinery and expert human resources to ensure the highest quality standards are met and maintained. New and diverse dosage forms are all part of the company’s intention to offer the healthcare sector a regulated range of products to ensure an effective and desirable outcome between medical professionals and patients.”

“With the support of our Global Partners and a rich team of industrious professionals at the VPS Healthcare Group, we are confident of realising our dreams and our steadfast goal of ensuring the medical profession and the all-important patients get the best possible care,” Dr. Shamsheer Vayali further added.

As one of the pioneers in the country’s pharmaceutical sector, LIFEPharma has been actively involved in the manufacture and distribution of important drugs to local and international markets. The company’s current capacity includes 1.4 billion tablets/capsules and 150 million liquid-based medication. It has the latest manufacturing and quality control equipment sourced from Europe, Taiwan and South Korea. The company’s Jebel Ali-based manufacturing plant has an EBMR (electronic batch manufacturing records) system implemented through SAP, a feat which few companies – across the globe – have been able to implement successfully.

LIFEPharma manufactures tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions and syrups in its facility, which has the approval of important bodies in the UAE, including the Ministry of Health; TGA Australia; TPD Health Canada; Europe; GCC; Taiwan; Iraq; Kenya; Uganda; Ivory Coast; Bahrain; Ethiopia and Yemen. It also has the only pharmaceutical formulation manufacturing plant in the UAE to have approval from European bodies. 

The company specializes in the manufacture of Novel Drug Delivery System (NDSS) products apart from immediate release (IR) products at its facility. It has the capability of manufacturing bi-layer products with multi-unit pellet system (MUPS) technology. 

The company’s other products are also widely available. “LIFEPharma’s products are available in the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Libya. It also exports products to the UK and has plans to start exports of Esomperazole and Duloxetine to Australia from the month of July.  We will soon supply products to South Africa and Canada as well, and will be the first pharmaceutical company from the UAE to do so,” added Singh.

LIFEPharma is Group Company of VPS Healthcare owned by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil.  VPS Health care is the biggest healthcare company in UAE having multiple speciality hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, distribution, marketing and now formulation manufacturing. LIFEPharma’s highly skilled multinational team – comprising professionals from the US, Europe, Australia, India, Egypt, Jordan, Russia, Philippines, Pakistan and Bangladesh – has vast and global experience in pharmaceutical formulations.