The biotechnology industry in the UAE is experiencing rapid growth, driven by significant government investments in research and development, as well as a strong commitment to advancing healthcare and technology. In this blog, we’ll explore the dynamic biotech and life sciences sector in the UAE, while highlighting some alternative career paths. After all, loving science doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become a doctor—there are plenty of exciting opportunities to consider.

Why UAE for Biotechnology?

There are so many reasons why the UAE has become an emerging hub for the global biotechnology sector. We’ve put together the most attractive reasons below:

1- Government Support and Initiatives

In an effort to move away from an oil and gas economy, the UAE has put forward several initiatives to make biotechnology a focal point in the region. One example is the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), which serves as a free zone dedicated to the same. If you are a biotechnology professional, this would mean that several employment opportunities will be present for you within DuBiotech.

2- Rising Investments

Several multinational companies in the biotechnology space have set up operations in the UAE. Examples include pharmaceutical companies like Julphar and Pharmax Pharmaceuticals. These investments have made their mark on the growth of the biotechnology industry in the region and their presence is expected to attract more global biotech companies to find their footing in the UAE.

3- Focus on Personalized Medicine and Genomics

The UAE has set up its own Genomics Program which will identify the genetic makeup of its citizens. As a result, healthcare solutions are poised to become even more effective and personalized. Therefore, this presents a great opportunity for Biotech companies that specialize in this area.

Key Areas in the Life Science Industry for Professionals

There are three big umbrellas that most life science jobs fall under. Number one is industry, which includes Pharma, medical device suppliers, contract organizations such as CROs, CDMOs, CRDMOs, etc. Number two is Consulting, and number three is Healthcare. We won’t be getting into Healthcare in this blog as that is an expansive subject that deserves its own article.

Consulting in Life Sciences

When it comes to Consulting, there are two routes you can choose: the big dogs like BCG, McKinsey or Deloitte. You can also go down the boutique route where the firms are smaller and specialize in the Life Sciences. The barrier to entry is higher at the fancy firms unless you’re going in straight out of college. If you’re interested in consulting, start preparing for case studies now. Go on YouTube—there are tons of videos with sample interviews. Long-term, most consultants either go to industry or VCs post-consulting. If you stay a consultant long-term, the career trajectory will look something like this. When deciding, you must think about the lifestyle you want to live. Do you enjoy talking to people and traveling? If not, consulting might drain your energy. Some people just aren’t built for consulting, and they may choose to get into the industry route right away.

Careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Now let’s dig a little deeper into the pharmaceutical industry. Drug discovery is where the actual molecules are discovered and synthesized by scientists. If you’re interested in lab work, this is a pretty good place to start.

Then comes clinical trials. In terms of entry-level jobs, you can be a CRA, which stands for Clinical Research Associate, and what you’re doing is essentially helping to manage clinical trials. These roles are slightly more involved in the healthcare side, where you might interact with patients or physicians, so it might be a good option for those of you who like healthcare but don’t want to be in healthcare directly.

The BLA and NDA steps are involved in the regulatory side of the industry, which is where the proposal, regulatory, and legal teams come in. If you find the idea of putting together legal and regulatory documents to be extremely boring, this might not be for you. This also ties into quality assurance.

Launch represents the commercial segment of the business, which includes everything from marketing, operations, project managers, portfolio managers, sales, BD, etc. The entry-level positions that are easiest to break into are marketing, sales, or BD. Especially if you start in sales, it’s fairly common to then branch out into other commercial functions as your career progresses.

The commercial side of the science industry is best for those who have a passion for science but also love the human-to-human interaction. Operations revolve around data, so be prepared to learn more about SQL and other data analytics tools.

Why Biotechnology is a Growing Industry

Is the biotechnology industry a good industry to go into? Given that the compound annual growth rate of the biotechnology industry is at 29% and the market is expected to grow quite aggressively from now until 2030, the time is now if you have a passion for it. 

Some emerging trends in the life science industry include the increased use of AI and machine learning, personalized medicine, advancements in gene editing tech like CRISPR, growing adoption of telemedicine, and an increased focus on preventative healthcare. There are so many different facets of the biotechnology industry to explore.

The UAE’s biotechnology market is set to grow further as the government continues to prioritize innovation and healthcare advancements, aligning with global trends in biotechnology and life sciences.

How can SetHub help?

If you are a biotechnology professional or startup that wants to capitalize on the enabling environment present in the UAE, SetHub can help you make the first move into this promising region. We are well versed in helping startups find their footing, as well helping professionals find the right jobs for themselves in the UAE. If you have any questions about the Biotechnology sector or what to do next, schedule a call with us now and hear back with some tailored advice from our experts within one business hour!