GCC Biologics Market Booms as Regional Investment in Biopharma Innovation Intensifies

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is undergoing a biopharma renaissance as biologics—medicines derived from living organisms—emerge as a cornerstone of healthcare transformation. Governments across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain are doubling down on biotechnology innovation, fueling a market surge powered by local production, regulatory modernization, and rising disease prevalence.

1. Explosive Market Growth

According to Market Research Future, the GCC biologics market more than doubled from USD 18.55 billion in 2023 to an estimated USD 21.57 billion in 2024, followed by a projected leap to USD 102.85 billion by 2035, with a striking CAGR of ~15.26% between 2025 and 2035. This upward trajectory mirrors the global trend in biologics, where biosimilars and monoclonal antibodies are seeing broad adoption.

2. Government‑Driven Innovation

Structural reforms under Saudi Vision 2030, Qatar National Vision 2030, UAE Centennial 2071––among others––are placing biopharma at the heart of national agendas. The aim: reduce dependence on imports by developing local production ecosystems. Saudi Arabia, as the regional frontrunner, has not only boosted healthcare spending to over 10% of GDP, but also established manufacturing zones and fast-track regulatory pathways through the Saudi FDA.

3. Infrastructure & Investments

Heavy capital is flowing into the sector. Abu Dhabi’s ADQ made a minority investment in Biocon Biologics Limited, while the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s strategic entity launched Lifera, a new CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) in mid‑2023. Similarly, the UAE is reinforcing its regulatory infrastructure, with fresh guidelines to accelerate biologics approvals.

4. Focus on Biosimilars & Injectables

While incidentally forming part of the biologics umbrella, biosimilars are gaining momentum. In 2024, Biocon launched the first GCC-made trastuzumab biosimilar from Dubai, and Celltrion’s biosimilar bevacizumab received speedy approval in Saudi Arabia earlier in 2025. Separately, the GCC’s generic injectables market climbed from USD 685 million in 2023 to forecast USD 1.81 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 11.4%, driven largely by oncology injectables.

5. Medical Need & Demographic Shifts

The GCC is grappling with a rising tide of noncommunicable diseases—diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune and oncology indications—that are better addressed with biologics and biosimilars. Concurrently, aging populations, urban lifestyles, and public health initiatives are catalyzing demand for advanced therapeutics, vaccines, and gene therapies.

6. Pioneering Local R&D Ecosystems

Public-private partnerships and academic collaborations are expanding R&D activity. Notable players—Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Biogen, AstraZeneca, and local champions like Julphar and Hikma—are establishing production plants, joint ventures, and clinical research units across the region. Saudi-based CDMOs like Lifera are underpinning this R&D expansion.

7. Regulatory Modernization

Efforts to align with international standards have intensified. The Saudi FDA now supports fast-track biosimilar approvals; the UAE has instituted tailored biologics regulations; and countries across the GCC are adopting substitution policies to encourage biosimilar use. These reforms reduce time to market, improve access, and strengthen confidence in locally manufactured therapies.

8. Regional Role in MENA & Global Value Chains

As regional manufacturing hubs mature, the GCC stands to dominate the biologics landscape in MENA. Its share in the broader MENA biosimilars and biologics market is outpacing North African peers, bolstered by vaccine and therapeutic campaigns. Additionally, global partnerships—such as Moderna’s mRNA alliance in South Africa and Pfizer’s digital biologics tracking with UAE startups—highlight the GCC’s international positioning.

Conclusion

The GCC biologics market is surging, driven by robust investment, favorable demographics, healthcare reform, and regulatory modernization. What began as import substitution is evolving into full-spectrum innovation—spanning R&D, manufacturing, and global collaborations. With an astonishing projected growth to USD 102.85 billion by 2035, the region is lining up to be a global biotech player.

5 FAQs – GCC Biologics Market

1. What is the current size of the GCC biologics market?
In 2023, the market stood at roughly USD 18.55 billion, rising to approximately USD 21.57 billion in 2024, and is headed toward USD 102.85 billion by 2035.

2. Which GCC countries are leading biologics investment?
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the frontrunners. Saudi Arabia is home to significant CDMOs like Lifera and leads in biosimilars; the UAE complements this with biologics-friendly regulations and increasing clinical research investment.

3. How are biosimilars influencing the market?
Biosimilars, especially monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab and bevacizumab, are gaining rapid acceptance. GCC-manufactured versions launched in Dubai and Saudi Arabia are lowering costs and improving accessibility.

4. What regulatory changes are enabling growth?
Fast-track approvals by the Saudi FDA, the UAE’s updated biologics regulation, and biosimilar substitution policies across the region are accelerating development timelines, reducing delays, and ensuring safer, more affordable medicines.

5. Are GCC companies partnering with international biopharma firms?
Yes. Partnerships range from manufacturing investments (e.g., ADQ and Biocon) to licensing agreements, digital biologics tracking, and vaccine collaborations. Global biotech companies such as Pfizer, Amgen, Roche, and Biogen are actively engaged across the region.