MULTIPLE PRODUCTS, MULTIPLE GEOGRAPHIES
TBY talks to Joe Henein, CEO of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals, on building brands, supporting SMEs in the region, and driving innovation.
BIOGRAPHY
Joe Henein is a senior executive with an accomplished career extending over 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry in the US, Europe, and MENA. A pharmacist by training, he has assumed many senior positions with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals including Vice President and Managing Director for the MENA region. In addition, he also served in various Wyeth executive committees during his tenure, such as the Global Development Council, Global Development Strategy Board, and European Operation Council. At the industry level, he assumed the role of the Vice Chairman for the PhRMA MEA Committee and the Chairman for the PhRMA MEA Ethics Review Board.How has the company developed in the past year?
2017 was a kinder year than 2016, albeit it was still somewhat challenging. Certain products started to reflect a proper takeoff after launching in different markets. Understandably, it is a complex undertaking to launch multiple products in multiple geographies one after the other in a short time span. Overall, our specialty business is doing well in the areas where we compete. NewBridge's business model is to create value for the brands we represent in the region, whose manufacturers do not want to enter the region themselves but want to do it through a competent partner. NewBridge is positioned to be a regional platform that brings innovation to all MENA markets as a one-stop solution and, hence, was chosen as MENA partner of choice by many global pharma companies. We built a company that mimics multinationals, but on a smaller and nimbler scale. We created the structure, assets, and balance sheets, and filled a gap to attract these partners. This quickly created a name for us regionally and internationally. The core of our success is still within the GCC markets, and our focus remains there. However, we are currently expanding to other markets.
What would you like to see from regulators to help pharma start-ups succeed in Dubai?
The Dubai government has a progressive vision for the future, and as such, the UAE is ahead of the pack among other countries in MENA. Dubai has taken the lead in being creative, innovative, and aggressive in its pursuit of strategic advancement, and the results are obvious. It is the hub of all the major businesses in the Middle East. One of the things that I would like to see is more alignment regarding support for SMEs in the UAE. While there is a strong will and drive by governments, some sectors do not follow suit. Banks, for example, are not fully engaged in supporting SMEs. From a healthcare standpoint, there are certain areas that need to be addressed, such as how regulators look at SMEs compared to large companies in the sector. Innovations do not come only from large global companies; they also come from smaller companies that do not see MENA as a core priority but prefer to partner with a strong partner that can manage new products and innovations. NewBridge Pharmaceuticals is a vehicle to bring key innovations and products that may address serious medical needs in the Middle East. You need compliance, quality and pharmacovigilance systems in place. You need medical, commercial, marketing, and regulatory capabilities. You need a serious company with a clear vision and purpose, as well as serious processes and talents that can be entrusted to cater for these brands and provide the physicians with new modalities of treatments in our specializations. We are doing something positive because we bring important medication to the region.
What is your outlook for the upcoming year?
I would like to see oil prices stabilizing, which would reflect in more solid and stable economies in the countries where we operate. Moreover, I would like to see us increase access to the medicines we bring, reach more patients in need, and create greater value for our brands and shareholders. We have a great international network to access innovations and will continue to be successful in bringing significant, innovative medicines moving forward. Already, we have started to see interest from larger companies in the service space becoming interested in partnering with us. At some point, NewBridge might become part of a larger group or company in the future. We are also considering smaller acquisitions to provide more value in this space.
MULTIPLE PRODUCTS, MULTIPLE GEOGRAPHIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review
Rising Power
Dubai has been at the forefront of the Emirates' efforts to make soft power a staying one in the UAE's diplomatic arsenal. But culture is hardly the only thing it is exporting: its expertise in governance is fast becoming a hot commodity across the Arab world as well.
read articleFocus: Chinese Relations
Across the Silk Road
Throughout the 21st century, China's ties with the UAE, and Dubai in particular, have strengthened in various fields. Since Beijing and the UAE established a diplomatic partnership in 1984, both have become major economic partners, and the bilateral relationship is well poised to flourish in the future.
read articleInterview
Hamad Buamim, President & CEO , Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
TBY talks to Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on expanding UAE firms' global footprint, developing capabilities in emerging sectors, and becoming one of the world's smartest cities.
read articleInterview
Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director , the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau
TBY talks to Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, on being the most inclusive World Expo, supplying 50% of its energy usage from renewable sources, and laying the groundwork for its legacy.
read articleInterview
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)
TBY talks to Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), on having an environment conducive to business, investment, and innovation, helping SMEs increase their collaboration with public and private entities, and creating smart, digital, and innovation-driven economies.
read articleInterview
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister , Climate Change and Environment
TBY talks to Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on the UAE's commitment to reducing its ecological footprint, transitioning to a climate-resilient green economy, and the importance of sustainable green finance.
read articleInterview
Dr. Adnan Chilwan,, CEO, Group CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB)
TBY talks to Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), on the bank's transformation into a regional powerhouse, Dubai's support for the development of Islamic banking, and its ambitious growth plans.
read articleInterview
Mohammad Al Hawari, Executive Board Member & Managing Director , Takaful Emarat
TBY talks to Mohammad Al Hawari, Executive Board Member & Managing Director of Takaful Emarat, on its innovative uses of blockchain, its extensive efforts to digitalize its offerings, and the changing face of the sector.
read articleInterview
Christer Viktorsson, Director General, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR)
TBY talks to Christer Viktorsson, Director General of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), on the role of the institution in advancing the nuclear energy regulatory environment and the importance of an integrated network.
read articleInterview
Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC)
TBY talks to Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), on the goals of the national space program, attracting youth to the program, and the significance of KhalifaSat.
read articleInterview
Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)
TBY talks to Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), on working on the happiness of citizens, trends in digital government, and regulating the sector.
read articleInterview
Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and Dubai Production City
TBY talks to Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and Dubai Production City, on synergies between the free zones and boosting content creation.
read articleInterview
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman, the Board of Executive Directors of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
TBY talks to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General & Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), on the Parallel Roads Project, automated aerial taxis, and managing transport ahead of Expo 2020 Dubai.
read articleInterview
Capt. Rado Antolovic,, CEO & Managing Director, Maritime Services Division DP World and Dubai Drydocks World (DDW)
TBY talks to Capt. Rado Antolovic, CEO & Managing Director of Maritime Services Division DP World and CEO of Dubai Drydocks World (DDW), on producing cylinders for the UK's Atomic Energy Authority, helping Dubai become the world's cleanest city, and creating innovative vessels.
read articleFocus: Suburban Flight
Sights Set on Suburbia
Real estate developers are finding that the devil is in the details, especially when it comes to the market in Dubai, as a close look at the market reveals the importance of the middle-income, suburban segment for developers and overall stability.
read articleInterview
Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman & Director General, the Board and Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
TBY talks to Humaid Al Qutami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), on its initiatives in the areas of AI and 3D printing, his predictions for the sector, and its goal to promote research and investment.
read articleInterview
Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman & Director General, the Board of Directors & Dubai Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA)
TBY talks to Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors & Director General of Dubai Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA), on increasing supply to meet demand, investing in infrastructure, and driving innovation and entrepreneurship.
read articleInterview
Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) & Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP)
TBY talks to Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) & Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), on initiatives at DIAC, synergies within the education sector, and the latest trends.
read articleColumn
Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International
TBY talks to Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President Operations and Development for the Middle East, India, and Africa, Swiss-Belhotel International on
read articleInterview
Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM)
TBY talks to Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), on promoting Dubai's many layers, moving to next-level hospitality, and assessing the impact of Expo 2020.
read article
