Abu Dhabi, UAE: ADCAN Pharma and M42 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical research, supporting the UAE’s ambition to strengthen its life sciences sector and expand its role in global pharmaceutical supply chains.
Under the agreement, the organisations will explore contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) opportunities through Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, initially focusing on secondary packaging and export-oriented pharmaceutical supply. Glenmark has completed a quality audit of ADCAN Pharma’s manufacturing facility, marking an important step towards advancing the proposed collaboration.
The next phase will explore the UAE registration of an advanced oncology product based on an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), a targeted cancer therapy designed to deliver cancer-killing drugs directly to cancer cells. Potential batch release for key export markets will remain subject to regulatory requirements and approvals.
Mr. Hamdan Mohamed AlDahmani, Chairman of ADCAN Pharma, said: “Our partnership with M42 is an important step in developing advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in the UAE and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.”
Dr. Fokion Sinis, Chief Executive Officer of ADCAN Pharma, said: “By focusing on specialized oncology products and drawing on our local manufacturing capabilities and our partners’ expertise, we aim to expand our business and open up new opportunities across global pharmaceutical supply chains, supporting the UAE’s position as a leading centre for advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing.”
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David Kavanagh, Acting Chief Operating Officer of M42’s Integrated Health Solutions, said: “Turning scientific discovery into treatments for patients depends on clinical research and pharmaceutical manufacturing working closely together. Through IROS, M42 is building the clinical research capabilities that help position Abu Dhabi as a partner for companies developing advanced therapies, and our collaboration with ADCAN Pharma explores how local manufacturing can support that work and connect it with international markets.”
ADCAN Pharma will also support clinical trial activities led by IROS, M42’s contract research organisation. This will help connect clinical research with pharmaceutical development and local manufacturing capabilities.
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The partnership aims to expand ADCAN Pharma’s CDMO and secondary packaging services while supporting M42’s clinical research objectives. It also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s efforts to build an integrated life sciences ecosystem connecting local pharmaceutical capabilities with international markets.
The MoU was signed at the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 by ADCAN Pharma CEO Dr Fokion Sinis and M42’s Acting Chief Operating Officer of Integrated Health Solutions, Dr David Kavanagh, in the presence of senior representatives from both organisations.
