Novartis looks at possible venture in medical research, diagnostics & education at DHCC

Novartis is a world leader in the research and development (R&D) of products that are used to protect and improve health and well-being.

Novartis General Manager, Stewart Fairbairn, along with Roger A. Bassoul, Regional Head of Arabian Gulf operations and Elisabeth MacGillivray, Head of Marketing, arrived in Dubai and met with Saeed Al Muntafiq, Chairman of the Board, Dubai Healthcare City and DHCC CEO Adel Saeed Al Shamsi.

They discussed potential partnership between the two institutions and how facilities at DHCC could possibly be utilised by Novartis in its focus areas.

"The Dubai Healthcare City is developing a unique infrastructure for the entire range of medical and healthcare services. It will be a centre where all related activity will synergise off each other to create an environment that will be highly conducive to top-class research and medical education as also other medical and healthcare services such as diagnostics," said Fairbairn.

"We are sure we can find common ground here and become part of the provision of pioneering medical and healthcare services," he added.

Al Muntafiq welcomed the interest from Novartis saying that it has been the endeavour of DHCC to find partners who are highly respected in the world for their cutting-edge technology, research and product and services.

"It is a matter of great pride for us that we have raised to a level where leading world institutions like Novartis, Harvard Medical School or Mayo Clinic, would show interest in joining us," Al Muntafiq added.

Novartis is a leading global medical institution. It was created in 1996 from the merger of the Swiss companies, Ciba and Sandoz. By 2002, the Group's businesses achieved sales of US$ 20.9 billion and a net income of US$ 4.7 billion. The Group invested approximately US$ 2.8 billion in R&D.