UAE – Mubasher: ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, has established a new global holding company under the name of Arcera to operate in the life sciences sector.
Located in Abu Dhabi, Arcera is planned to offer products that improve the quality and longevity of human life, according to a press release.
ADQ transferred its shareholdings in three companies to Arcera. These companies are Acino International (Acino), a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland; Birgi Mefar Group (BMG), a Turkish sterile production service company; and Amoun Pharmaceutical Company (Amoun), an Egypt-based pharmaceutical manufacturer.
Arcera has a total workforce of more than 6,500 people. The company will sell and distribute 2,000 branded medicines across a wide range of therapeutic areas in over 90 countries across four continents.
The new company is planning to double its revenue over the next five years through strategic acquisitions in key markets globally, as well as partnerships.
Hamad Al Hammadi, Deputy CEO of ADQ, said: “By consolidating our life sciences companies under one umbrella, Arcera signifies a strategic evolution, unlocking substantial portfolio value and reinforcing our commitment to innovation, globalisation and digitisation, which are key growth levers in this industry.”
“Arcera is positioned to be a significant contributor to Abu Dhabi's life sciences sector, reflecting our unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes through groundbreaking solutions while aligning with the Emirate's diversification goals,” Al Hammadi added.
Isabel Afonso, CEO of Arcera, said: “The growing need for high-quality and effective medicines lends tremendous importance to building a global life sciences company like Arcera. Arcera enables its businesses to accelerate growth plans and enhance integration, as well as further expand and develop capabilities.”
“We are pursuing bold ambitions and working towards becoming a leading global life sciences company that fosters longer and healthier lives while creating value. It is a great honour to be trusted to lead Arcera,” Afonso added.
In the context of ADQ’s investment endeavours, Bloomberg reported in March 2024 that ADQ is studying the initial public offering (IPO) of Etihad Airways to be the first publicly traded carrier in the GCC.
The company signed an agreement to invest $35 billion in Egypt’s Ras El-Hekma in February.
