DUBAI: A new factory in Abu Dhabi will start manufacturing a COVID-19 vaccine from Chinese pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm later this year under a joint venture between Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi-based technology company Group 42 (G42).
The project is an expansion of Chinese diplomacy in the Gulf region and helps the UAE’s quest to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon production.
The plant, which is being built in the Khalifa Industrial Zone of Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), will have a production capacity of 200 million doses a year with three filling lines and five automated packaging lines, a statement from the joint venture said on Monday.
The vaccine will be called Hayat-Vax when manufactured in the UAE, but is the same inactivated vaccine from the Beijing Institute of Biological Product (BiBP), a unit of Sinopharm’s China National Biotec Group (CNBG), that the UAE approved for general use in December.
Production of Hayat-Vax has already begun in the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah under a deal between G42 and Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries PSC, the statement said. That production line has an initial capacity of 2 million doses per month.
The UAE, through G42, hosted Phase III clinical trials of the Sinopharm vaccine from July, which later expanded to other countries in the region including Bahrain. The UAE approved the vaccine for frontline workers in September before making it available to the general public in December.
The deal was launched during a two-day visit to the UAE by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi which ended on Sunday.
The joint venture also includes a purpose-built research and development hub for life sciences, biotechnology and vaccine production in KIZAD.
“Our joint venture is also actively looking to bring our capabilities to new markets around the world,” G42 CEO Peng Xiao said.
“Thanks to the close collaboration with the UAE, Sinopharm’s vaccine has been now administered to millions of people in the country, the region, and the world,” Sinopharm Chairman Liu Jingzhen said at a virtual launch also attended by UAE Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The UAE has said its trials showed the vaccine has 86% efficacy, while Sinopharm reports 79.34% efficacy based on interim results.
Some people in the UAE failed to develop sufficient antibodies after a second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine and were given a third dose, the UAE health ministry said this month. It said the number was “minimal” compared to the number of vaccines administered.
On Sunday, a Sinopharm executive said the company will need to assess results from overseas Phase III clinical trials to decide whether its two-shot vaccine should be followed by a booster shot.
New Abu Dhabi plant to make COVID-19 vaccine from China’s Sinopharm
https://arab.news/nwejx
New Abu Dhabi plant to make COVID-19 vaccine from China’s Sinopharm
- The plant will have a production capacity of 200 million doses a year
- The vaccine will be called Hayat-Vax when manufactured in the UAE, but is the same inactivated vaccine from the Beijing Institute of Biological Product
UAE’s Emirates Skywards partners with UK’s Jet2 to offer flight rewards
RIYADH: The UAE’s Emirates Skywards has partnered with Jet2.com, allowing members to redeem flight rewards to more than 75 destinations across the UK airline’s leisure network.
Emirates and flydubai’s loyalty program is expanding its UK portfolio, giving its 4 million members more opportunities, rewards, and travel options, according to a statement.
This supports the UAE’s goal of becoming the world’s leading aviation hub by 2035, backed by major infrastructure investment, expanded sustainable aviation fuel production, and workforce development, as well as digital transformation and a strong regulatory framework.
It also aligns well with the UAE’s tourism aim of making it a top global destination, targeting 40 million hotel guests by 2031 under the national UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, aiming for 450 billion dirhams ($122 billion) in gross domestic product contribution and 100 billion dirhams in investments.
“The UK is one of our top markets and we’re pleased to expand our portfolio to offer millions of members a chance to redeem flight rewards on popular holiday destinations served by Jet2.com. In addition to flight tickets, members can also redeem Miles for meals, extra baggage allowance, preferred seat selection, and more — making it possible to enjoy the perfect start to a holiday, fully covered by Skywards Miles,” said Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards Nejib Ben Khedher.
He added: “We’re always looking for new ways to expand our offerings and provide members with the best value, choice, and rewards a loyalty program can offer.”
From his side, Doug Turner, general manager of third-party supply and distribution at Jet2.com, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with Emirates Skywards, which means we can give even more customers the opportunity to enjoy flights with our award-winning airline.
“This is a great way for us to continue attracting new customers and we know that our reputation for delivering the very best customer service will be a huge hit with Emirates Skywards members.”
Under the newly announced reward system, members can redeem flights from 8,000 Skywards Miles, inclusive of all fees and charges, to a range of destinations served by Jet2.com.
The UK’s third-largest airline operates from 14 airport bases, including London Gatwick from March 2026, flying to destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Canary Islands.
