Abu dhabi: Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has launched Hub71+ Life Sciences, a new specialist ecosystem designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of health innovations across BioTech, MedTech, and digital health. This initiative positions Abu Dhabi as a global launchpad for life sciences founders, offering direct access to a network of regulators, hospitals, investors, and industry partners.
According to Emirates News Agency, the announcement was made at Hub71’s annual Impact Event, highlighting the ecosystem’s offerings for founders to access the UAE capital’s progressive medical innovation sector. From early clinical validation to market access, founders will leverage Abu Dhabi’s integrated health cluster to translate scientific advancements into tangible patient outcomes and scalable ventures.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have helped shape Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape. With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are channeling that experience into a dedicated environment where founders, researchers, market players, and investors can collaborate to advance healthcare innovation.” The initiative focuses on startups developing breakthrough solutions in HealthTech, BioTech, and life sciences, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s influence in global healthcare innovation.
Strategic alignment with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and the HELM cluster (Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine) underscores the effort to create a robust life sciences economy anchored in Abu Dhabi. This launch coincides with projections that the MENA healthcare services market will reach $412 billion by 2032, reflecting sustained investment in health innovation throughout the region.
The ecosystem’s Founding Partners include the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and the HELM cluster by ADIO. Anchor Partners such as the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Ultrahuman further reinforce the platform. A total of 12 partners will collaborate with startups to explore investment opportunities and accelerate the introduction of transformative innovations to market.
Hub71+ Life Sciences fosters collaboration among regulators, corporates, investors, and startups to accelerate healthcare innovation in Abu Dhabi. By offering regulatory support, funding opportunities, and access to clinical trials and proof-of-concepts, the ecosystem aims to create shared value, strengthen partnerships, advance research, and stimulate growth in the competitive life sciences sector.
The broader Hub71 community now includes nearly 300 startups that have collectively raised AED 9 billion and generated AED 5 billion in revenue, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s emergence as one of MENA’s fastest-growing startup markets. Hub71+ Life Sciences joins a suite of specialist ecosystems such as Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ AI, each dedicated to unlocking innovation in priority sectors.