Read the Conversation
Conversation highlights:
- Focused on strengthening a sustainable, innovation-friendly ecosystem through transparency, patient-centred policies, and predictable business frameworks.
- Emphasized the Gulf’s strategic appeal as a forward-looking region with strong government–industry dialogue, stable regulation, and early access to innovative medicines.
- Highlighted intellectual property as foundational to innovation, investment, local research and innovation, and long-term patient access, where PHRMAG has shown substantial dedication.
- Pointed to the UAE’s leadership in rapid patient access and continuous regulatory modernization to support new technologies and treatments.
- Stressed the importance of trust-based public-private-academic partnerships, including new academic collaborations, to nurture homegrown innovation and align with national visions.
EF: What are your key priorities for the year 2026?
SM: Going into 2026, we are still focused on strengthening the ecosystem that ensures not just access, but sustainable access to innovative medicines. That means improving regulatory excellence, consistently advocating for patient-centered policies, and supporting a business environment that encourages innovation and offers transparency and predictability. These efforts help ensure that multinational companies remain motivated to invest in the region.
EF: What makes the Gulf region strategically significant for pharmaceutical investment?
SM: The Gulf is quite a unique region because it takes a very forward-looking approach to policy. As the local pharmaceutical association, we see a strong willingness on the part of authorities to engage with the private sector and invite consultation. The region continues to build stronger regulatory systems, and we appreciate being included in many of these discussions. There is a clear commitment to advancing healthcare, aligning it with global standards and adopting international best practices.
For innovative biopharma companies, the Gulf offers a stable and supportive environment where patients have access to new treatments. That access helps create fertile ground for research, unlike some markets where limited access and weaker ecosystems make it difficult to conduct advanced trials. This is part of what makes the Gulf so distinctive. It is a place where new technologies and medicines can be introduced responsibly and efficiently, helping establish a model of excellence that can inspire neighboring regions and strengthen the region’s global position.
EF: Could you explain the UAE's efforts towards intellectual property and your engagement with stakeholders in shaping them?
SM: Intellectual property is a core foundation for innovative biopharma because it creates a stable environment for business and research. It is essential not only for bringing scientific advances from abroad, but also for encouraging and rewarding innovation that develops locally. We are fortunate to partner with the UAE and various economic and health stakeholders on this important topic.
One of our long-standing messages is that strong IP protections directly support access to innovative medicines and have a major influence on patients, investment, and the wider economy. This is something we have been communicating since our organization was founded twenty years ago, and the response has been very positive. We have reached a point where the impact of this work is becoming more visible and helping move the region to the next stage, which is encouraging. IP is a key part of shaping a business environment that supports innovation and helps position the region globally. So, to answer your question, we are engaging broadly across sectors, not only within healthcare but also within the economic sphere, to highlight the real importance of IP for biopharma companies, academic research, patients, and the entire healthcare system.
EF: How are you working to ensure patient access to innovation?
SM: The UAE has long been a leader in providing rapid access to innovative treatments. Over the past twenty years, we have seen firsthand how committed the country is to working with partners across the sector, and that partnership has real value. This is not new information, but we continue to build on it. The UAE has consistently taken a pioneering approach to speeding access to new technologies and is always exploring ways to further modernize its regulatory system to support that goal.
EF: How do you assess public-private partnerships in the region and the level of public sector engagement with industry?
SM: Our presence shows that public-private partnerships are active and in good shape. Our role has always been to engage and build connections across the ecosystem, and we have seen significant success because partners in the region are open and willing to collaborate. I am also glad to say that while we used to focus mainly on working with health authorities, we are now broadening our outreach. We are being invited to share the story of biopharma innovation not only with healthcare stakeholders but also with broader audiences.
Aligning with the national visions of the countries in the region is an important part of this work. When the private sector supports these national goals from both an economic and patient perspective, it strengthens our dialogue and helps us find creative paths forward. This year, as part of our twentieth anniversary, we were pleased to partner with academia for the first time. We collaborated with NYU Abu Dhabi on one of its innovation competitions, reflecting our commitment to nurturing homegrown innovation. It shows our dedication to supporting the foundation of future scientific progress by working closely with the government, the public sector, and academic institutions.
EF: Could you highlight recent or upcoming academic partnerships that reflect your innovation ambitions in the region?
SM: We are very enthusiastic about the role the pharmaceutical industry plays in transferring knowledge to society. Our work is much broader than supplying medicines. We run patient support programs, publish research, conduct studies, and collaborate closely with government partners. These partnerships matter because they help us learn while also sharing insights from global organizations. I recently visited one of our member companies’ research centers, and it felt like an entire small town dedicated to R&D. Exchanges like that, where public and private teams visit each other, create valuable learning on both sides.
Looking ahead, we plan to continue the work we have been doing to shape policy through key platforms and to strengthen engagement between industry and authorities. Many of these platforms take the form of round tables where we bring people together for open discussion. Even when specific topics are not fully addressed in those meetings, the openness itself signals to innovative companies that there is room to explore new ideas. That willingness to collaborate is one of the biggest contributions we bring to the healthcare ecosystem. We want to keep creating these forums, keep building connections, and push ourselves to form partnerships that go beyond the usual. The goal is to bring together different players across the ecosystem to support innovation and find better solutions. This is central to our mission. So, we plan to continue doing the groundwork, fostering engagement, and creating spaces that help shape policy and move the system forward.
EF: What message did you share for the twentieth anniversary, or what would you like your 5-year message to convey next year?
SM: If I had to highlight one priority, it would be building trust. That is essential. You mentioned speed and price, but as an association, our main mission is to create a stable, trustworthy environment where people feel confident working with us and can succeed. Over the past twenty years, we have grown into a reliable partner and a respected voice, and we are proud of the progress made in policy, regulation, and broader reforms. But the achievement that matters most is the trust we have earned. Looking ahead, I hope to see even more homegrown innovation and a strong culture of scientific excellence, where everyone across the ecosystem is striving toward the same goal and working together to find the best solutions for patients.
EF: Is there anything important you would like to add that we have not covered?
SM: I always want to take a moment to thank all our partners. Our industry is quite unique in its level of commitment. There is a reason we are one of the few associations of this kind. People in this industry devote countless hours to work that is not part of their direct job responsibilities because they genuinely believe in supporting the ecosystem.
As an association, we are grateful to collaborate with so many different groups, not only across the public sector but also with other associations and organizations that share our goals and vision. I want to thank our partners, our members, our board, and everyone who has contributed to our purpose and to our shared commitment to improving outcomes for patients.
