Abdulqader al-Khayat

Position: Executive director, Dubai Biotech-nology & Research Park (DuBiotech)

Biography: Abdulqader al-Khayat was appointed to head DuBiotech, a free zone dedicated to the development of the emirate’s biotechnology industry, in September 2004. He had previously been director general of the General Department of Forensic Administration of the Dubai Police. Al-Khayat obtained a PhD in forensic science from the University of Strathclyde in the UK and is an expert in DNA and crime scene evidence. As head of DuBiotech, Al-Khayat’s mandate is to establish the park as a regional centre of excellence for biotechnology. To achieve this, he is establishing infrastructure at the park, including facilities for the $400m life science industrial park, with generous tax incentives to attract investors. Al-Khayat says building a viable biotech industry forms part of a wider strategy to build a 21st century, knowledge-based economy in Dubai.

Contact Tel: (+971) 4390 2222

Elias Zerhouni

Position: Member, board of trustees, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (Kaust)

Biography: Algeria-born Elias Zerhouni made his name in the US, where he has advised presidents on biomedical policy. He was appointed by former president George W Bush as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest funder of biomedical research, in 2002. He announced his resignation from the NIH in October 2008 and took up his post on the board of Kaust in Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining the NIH, Zerhouni had advised former US president Ronald Reagan on policy. Zerhouni served as executive vice-dean of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he was also chair of the Russell H Morgan department of radiology and radiological science, and professor of biomedical engineering. At Kaust, he will build the uni-versity’s research reputation.

Contact:www.kaust.edu.sa

Ahmed Emara

Position: Chief executive officer (CEO), Jeddah BioCity

Biography: Appointed to head Jeddah BioCity Group in 2007, Ahmed Emara has previous experience of managing large-scale companies active in the life science and healthcare industries. Jeddah BioCity aims to initiate profitable companies in the biotech and life science sectors. It is the kingdom’s flagship centre for biotechnology excellence, bringing together international and local firms to focus on biotechnology-driven research and development. Emara has already enlisted a major US provider of leading protein and antibody solutions, Genway, to set up at the city. Jeddah BioCity is investing $15m in Genway, the first company to have a patent to produce antibodies, and will have exclusive rights to market its products in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa. Other companies located at BioCity include Jeddah Bio-Pharma, EDS and JeddahBioScan.

Contact Tel: (+966) 2665 633

Faruq Badiuddin

Position: Chairman and managing director, Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences

Biography: Faruq Badiuddin is founder of Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences, an Indian company that has been based at DuBiotech since November 2005. Its mission is to promote the health of UAE and Gulf citizens through the introduction of biotechnology products and systems, and through research into the diseases relevant to this region, especially genetic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Eastern Biotech claims to be the first company in the Middle East to offer comprehensive genetic testing services. As a surgeon who specialises in general, laparoscopic and gastrointestinal areas, Indian-born Badiuddin works with the UAE’s Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training, focusing on the management of obesity. Eastern Biotech & Life Sciences’ initial focus is on gathering epidemiological data in the region and conducting clinical research.

Contact Tel: (+971) 4369 2061

Mohamed al-Hamad al-Marwani

Position: Chairman, Scientific Medical Applied Research & Development (Smard)

Biography: Mohamed al-Hamad al-Marwani is responsible for establishing Qatar’s first biotechnology and medical research company. Based at Qatar Science & Technology Park, Smard is establishing a laboratory that will initially focus on developing diagnostic tools and treatments for chronic diseases. Smard is a subsidiary of German companies KMG and Isima, which have close research ties with German’s Tuebingen University and other clinics and universities in Germany, Austria and the Middle East. It is extending its collaborations to Cairo University and Menoufeya University in Egypt, as well as other international hospitals and research and development institutes. In Qatar, Smard aims to work with the National Health Authority and Sidra Medical & Research Centre, and will further an existing collabor-ation with Qatar University.

Contact Tel: (+974) 454 7070

Abbas Lotfi

Position: Director, National Institute of Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (Nigeb), Iran

Biography: With a PhD in clinical biochemistry from Tehran University for Medical Sciences, Abbas Lotfi is the Islamic Republic’s leading promoter of biotechnology and life sciences. Based at Tehran University, Nigeb was established in 1989 under the supervision of the Science, Research & Technology Ministry, with a mandate to undertake original research activities, including promoting research in areas of biological sciences and biotechnology, and providing advanced training and education programmes for scientists and students from other universities across Iran and in other developing countries. As a national research centre, Nigeb focuses on five major areas: medical biotechnology, plant biotechnology, animal and marine biotechnology, industrial and environmental biotechnology and basic sciences.

Contact Tel: (+982) 144 580 301-27