Abu Dhabi, UAE: Eli Lilly and Company and Mubadala Bio announced an agreement on 20 October 2026 to localise packaging and logistics operations for Lilly’s GLP-1 medicines in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The collaboration was announced during the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026 by Hamad Almarzooqi, Group Deputy CEO of Mubadala Bio, and Nabil Daoud, President and General Manager, Intercontinental, Eli Lilly and Company.
The signing was witnessed by Dr. Fatima Al Kaabi, Director General of the Emirates Drug Establishment; Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chairman of Mubadala Bio; and Tayllit Aherdan, Vice President and General Manager, Lilly Gulf.
Planned operations supporting the agreement will be based at a 125,000 sqm site in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD). The site includes pharmaceutical packaging and warehousing facilities and supports Mubadala Bio’s contract manufacturing and logistics activities.
The companies said they intend to combine Lilly’s pharmaceutical expertise with Mubadala Bio’s existing infrastructure to develop local capabilities and strengthen connections with international supply chains.
“This agreement represents an important step in strengthening our long-term presence in the UAE and contributing to the continued development of its life sciences ecosystem,” Daoud said.
The announcement follows regulatory and commercial developments involving Lilly medicines in the UAE. On 3 April 2026, the Emirates Drug Establishment approved Foundayo (orforglipron) for chronic weight management, making the UAE the second country to register the treatment.
Foundayo was subsequently introduced for eligible patients under Abu Dhabi’s Personalized Weight Management Program, which was launched in June 2025. The UAE also launched Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in August 2022 following approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.