WHX in Dubai (formerly Arab Health) to debut specialised Biotech
& Life Sciences Zone as sector growth accelerates globally
 The global biotechnology market is projected to reach over $4 trillion by 2035; the
GCC market is expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2028, with the UAE and Saudi

Arabia leading the growth in the region

 Biotechnology and life sciences serve as a strategic bridge, connecting cutting-edge

research with real-world healthcare transformation

 World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai, formerly Arab Health, will take place at the
Dubai Exhibition Centre from 9-12 February 2026, welcoming more than 235,000
professional visits and 4,300 exhibitors at the largest healthcare event in 2026
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 December 2025: World Health Expo (WHX) in
Dubai, formerly Arab Health, which takes place from 9-12 February 2026 at the Dubai
Exhibition Centre (DEC), has officially announced the launch of a new dedicated
Biotech & Life Sciences zone in recognition of the sector’s expansion, which is expected
to exceed US$4 trillion globally by 2035.
The introduction of the new zone reflects the unprecedented acceleration across the
global biotechnology industry, which uses living organisms, cells, or biological
processes to develop products and technologies for treating, preventing, and
diagnosing human diseases. Breakthroughs in areas such as advanced therapeutics,
AI-driven research and development, translational science, clinical innovation, and
sustainable biomanufacturing are shaping the market.
According to Global Data Route Analytics, a leading business intelligence firm, the
global biotechnology market was valued at US$1.6 trillion in 2020 and is expected to
grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.2% until 2035, reaching US$4.05 trillion.
Furthermore, a recent report from Knight Frank highlights the trajectory of the GCC
biotechnology market, projected to reach US$2.6 billion by 2028. Leading this growth
are the UAE and Saudi Arabia, driven by a surge in localised R&D activities in areas
such as genomics, oncology, rare diseases, and synthetic biology. This momentum is
further fuelled by an increasing investor appetite and enhanced cross-border
collaboration as the industry transitions from early discovery to commercial-stage
innovation. Notably, the UAE is keen on establishing itself as a global hub for
biotechnology, precision medicine, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This ambition is

exemplified by initiatives like ‘Operation 300Bn,’ which allocates AED 300 billion to vital
sectors, including healthcare.
Aligning with this growth, the inaugural Biotech & Life Sciences Zone, which will take
place on 9 February 2026 as part of the newly introduced Frontiers Stage at WHX in
Dubai, will convene global experts, regional innovators, policymakers, investors and
industry leaders as part of a comprehensive programme exploring the scientific,
economic and societal impact of biotechnology.
Biotech & Life Sciences zone session chair, Dr Omar Najim, CEO, Baynouna
Gene Solutions, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Khalifa University, has
emphasised that the Middle East is entering a new era in which biotechnology and life
sciences are no longer peripheral disciplines but central drivers of healthcare
transformation, economic diversification, and scientific leadership.
He said: “Biotechnology and the life sciences are at the crossroads of developing
solutions for regional populations through local talent, clinical innovation, and
distribution, to reach the wider world. The Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, home to
1.7 billion people, is a rapidly growing market for biotech companies seeking to expand,
but also a source of unparalleled global talent.
“The region is well recognised as a strategic bridge, connecting cutting-edge research
with real-world healthcare transformation. By accelerating translational science, building
regional capability and fostering global partnerships, we can ensure that breakthroughs
developed in our labs become accessible solutions that improve health outcomes for
our communities. The launch of the dedicated Biotech & Life Sciences Zone at World
Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai is a pivotal step toward realising that shared vision.”
Held under the theme, Where Science Meets the Future, the Biotech & Life Sciences
Zone will open with a forward-looking session titled The Future and Trends of Life
Sciences: From Bench to Global Impact, which will explore advancements in synthetic
biology, next-generation therapeutics, AI-driven research and the emergence of the
Middle East as a potential hub for translational innovation.
A high-profile panel discussion, Investing in the Next Decade of Biotech & Life
Sciences: Collaboration, Capital and Capability, will bring together influential voices
from across the investment and innovation spectrum, while a fireside chat,
Biotechnology for One Planet, One Health, will provide discussion from regional leaders
on biotechnology’s vital role in addressing interconnected global health and
environmental challenges.
The Regional to Global Translational Research and Innovation session will focus on
bridging research capacity with international R&D networks, followed by a panel on Cell
& Gene Waves: Building the Access-Era for Advanced Therapies, which will spotlight
the urgent need to scale access to breakthrough treatments.

The programme will conclude with a keynote titled Biotechnology and the Future of
Humanity, delivered by Andrew Craig, author of The Future Is Biotech.
Solenne Singer, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets, said: “The introduction of a
dedicated Biotech & Life Sciences Zone reflects the ambitions of WHX in Dubai and the
growing expertise within our global community. Biotechnology is transforming every
aspect of healthcare, and our platform is uniquely positioned to connect the world’s
leading scientists, innovators and industry partners together to accelerate this progress.
This initiative aligns with the forward-thinking content that WHX in Dubai aims to
promote, underscoring our commitment to delivering the ideas and collaborations that
will shape the next decade of global health.”
In 2026, WHX in Dubai will be co-timed with WHX Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab
Middle East), the region’s leading laboratory and diagnostics event. While WHX in
Dubai moves to Expo City Dubai, WHX Labs in Dubai will continue at Dubai World
Trade Centre (DWTC) from 10-13 February, creating a city-wide experience across two
landmark venues. Together, the co-timed events will attract more than 270,000
professional visits and 4,800 exhibitors, forming the world’s largest healthcare event.
WHX in Dubai and WHX Labs in Dubai are held under the patronage of the UAE
Ministry of Health and Prevention.
For more information or to register for the event, please visit
https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/dubai/en/home.html