ADCAN Pharma partners with M42 to strengthen UAE pharmaceutical manufacturing at 2026 Health Summit
The agreement is expected to expand ADCAN Pharma’s CDMO operations and secondary packaging services while supporting M42’s clinical research activities.
UAE—ADCAN Pharma and M42 have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi to explore pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical research opportunities, supporting the UAE’s efforts to expand its life sciences industry and strengthen its pharmaceutical supply chains.
The agreement will explore opportunities in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO), including collaboration with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, a research-led global pharmaceutical company.
CDMOs provide services such as drug development, manufacturing and packaging on behalf of pharmaceutical companies.
Focus on oncology and export markets
The initial phase will focus on secondary packaging, which involves labelling and preparing finished medicines in packaging that meets the regulatory requirements of individual markets.
The partners will also explore opportunities to supply pharmaceutical products to international markets.
As part of the preparations, Glenmark has completed a quality audit of ADCAN Pharma’s manufacturing facility, an important step towards advancing the proposed collaboration.
The next phase will involve supporting the UAE registration of an advanced oncology product based on an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).
These targeted cancer therapies combine an antibody with a potent drug to deliver treatment more directly to cancer cells while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
The collaboration may also extend to batch release for selected export markets, subject to the relevant regulatory requirements and approvals.
In addition to manufacturing, ADCAN Pharma will support clinical trial activities led by IROS, M42’s contract research organization (CRO).
This arrangement will link clinical research activities with pharmaceutical development and manufacturing, creating opportunities for closer coordination in the development of advanced therapies.
Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s life sciences capabilities
The agreement is expected to expand ADCAN Pharma’s CDMO operations and secondary packaging services while supporting M42’s clinical research activities.
It also reflects Abu Dhabi’s strategy to develop an integrated life sciences ecosystem that connects local manufacturing infrastructure, clinical research capabilities and international pharmaceutical markets.
Hamdan Mohamed AlDahmani, Chairman of ADCAN Pharma, described the partnership as an important step towards expanding advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in the UAE and improving the sector’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
Dr. Fokion Sinis, Chief Executive Officer of ADCAN Pharma, said the collaboration would help the company expand its business in specialized oncology products by combining local manufacturing capabilities with its partners’ expertise.
David Kavanagh, Acting Chief Operating Officer of M42’s Integrated Health Solutions, highlighted the importance of connecting clinical research with pharmaceutical manufacturing to translate scientific discoveries into treatments for patients.
Through IROS, he said, M42 is developing clinical research capabilities that position Abu Dhabi as a potential partner for companies developing advanced therapies.
The agreement with ADCAN Pharma will explore how local manufacturing can support these activities and connect them to international markets.
The MoU was signed during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 by Dr. Fokion Sinis and Dr. David Kavanagh, in the presence of senior representatives from both organizations
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