Novo Nordisk opens new global pharmaceutical distribution hub in UAE

UAE—Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has announced plans to establish a major regional distribution centre in the UAE, strengthening the country’s growing role as a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare logistics.

The new facility will become one of only three global distribution centres operated by the company worldwide and will oversee the movement of Novo Nordisk products across key international markets.

The company, known for its diabetes, obesity, and rare disease therapies, said it selected the UAE because of its advanced logistics infrastructure, investor-friendly policies, and stable operating environment.

UAE to support access across 70 countries

According to the company, the distribution centre will gradually expand its reach to as many as 70 countries spanning the Gulf region, Africa and Central Asia.

Once fully operational, the hub is expected to support access to treatment for more than 2.6 million patients across a population exceeding 1 billion people.

The facility will also connect production sites in Europe, Asia and the Americas with regional markets, allowing the company to streamline medicine supply chains and improve operational efficiency.

Alongside the logistics hub, Novo Nordisk plans to open a scientific office in the UAE and launch a talent development programme for Emirati nationals.

The initiative aims to strengthen local expertise while supporting the country’s ambitions to become a leading pharmaceutical innovation and manufacturing centre.

The company said internal benchmarking studies showed the UAE excels at integrating pharmaceutical regulation, manufacturing, logistics, and data management into a single operational ecosystem that can proactively address global healthcare challenges.

UAE strengthens pharmaceutical security strategy

H.E. Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Drug Establishment, said the investment reflects growing international confidence in the UAE’s healthcare ecosystem and supply chain capabilities.

He noted that pharmaceutical security has evolved beyond healthcare concerns and now forms part of the country’s broader economic security strategy, particularly as global supply chains continue to face disruption.

H.E. Dr Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment, added that attracting projects of this scale demonstrates the maturity of the UAE’s pharmaceutical sector and its ability to convert foreign investment into long-term economic value.

Broader expansion and innovation push

The announcement comes as Novo Nordisk accelerates several global expansion initiatives.

In recent weeks, the company announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to integrate artificial intelligence into drug discovery, manufacturing, and commercial operations, aiming to accelerate drug development and improve supply chain efficiency.

Novo Nordisk has also continued to expand its global manufacturing network, including a €432 million (US$489 million) investment in its facility in Ireland to boost production capacity for oral GLP-1 treatments used in obesity and diabetes care.

The UAE project builds on Novo Nordisk’s more than 40-year presence in the country and aligns with broader efforts by the Emirates Drug Establishment to attract pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation investments into the region.